As many as 1,393 Sikh Yatrees (pilgrims) arrived on Monday in the provincial metropolis from India, via Wahgha Border, on special trains to participate in Baisakhi Festival. The yatrees reached in the provincial metropolis on two special trains and left for Hassanabdal after immigration and customs clearance.
Additional Secretary Shrines, Syed Zahid Bokhari received the Indian guests on behalf of Chairman Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB) at Wahgah Border. Chief of Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Sham Singh, EPTB officials Faraz Abbas, Azhar Nazir and others were also presented on the occasion.
Foolproof security arrangements were made around Wagha Railway Station, while a makeshift dispensary was also set up and food (langar) distributed among the yatrees on the occasion. Expressing his views, Sardar Gulwandar Singh, Chief of Indian Sikh said that they would never forget the love bestowed by Pakistanis to Sikh Yatrees.
He further said governments of both the sides must made sincere efforts to maintain peace between two neighbouring nations. Sardar Santook Singh, Deputy Chief of Indian Sikhs admired Pakistani government for looking after Sikh Gurdwaras. Later, Sikh Yatrees left for Hassanabdal where they would attend the celebrations of Besakhi Festival at Gurdwara Panga Sahib.