'Number of visas to Sikh pilgrims to be increased next year'

06 Nov, 2006

Minister for Religious and Minorities Affairs, Ejaz ul Haq has said Baba Guru Nanak has given the message for elimination of extremism and terrorism and fostering love and peace among human beings.
He said this while addressing a huge gathering of Sikh pilgrims at Gurdawara Janam Asthan here on Sunday on the 537th birth anniversary of founder of Sikh religion Baba Guru Nanak. The Sikh Yatris have come from all parts of world to attend the celebrations.
Ejaz ul Haq has said President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have issued directives to provide visas to 5000 Sikh Yatris instead of 3000. This is 2000 more than what was envisaged in Simla agreement in 1954.
President Musharraf has asked Sikh pilgrims to mail their passports to Pakistani consulate and Pakistan will send them multiple visas by return mail. " We have expressed reverence and love for Sikh religion by issuing commemorative postage stamp on the eve of Shaheedi day of Gurwar Jin Singh.
Due to upsurge in the inflow of Sikh Yatris, foundation stone will soon be laid for a four star hotel in Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib and Dera Sahib to provide maximum lodging facilities to them, he told.
He indicated that funds for decoration of all Gurdawars in Pakistan have been enhanced from Rs 40 million to Rs 280 millions.
-Online

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