The 313th Sikh religious and traditional festival Besakhi concluded here at Gurdwara Punja Sahib Hassanabdal on Friday. The concluding ceremony was attended by over 10,000 Sikh and Hindu yatrees including over 2,000 from India, Canada and other countries. The followers perform Keerthan for their purification and redress of their problems. Keerthan is followed by Ardaas (Dua) where the followers seek divine forgiveness of their follies.
At the end, the religious feast 'parsad' a sugar made sweet dish was distributed. Much jubilation and enthusiasm was seen on the last and concluding day as the Gurudwara was jam packed with the Hindu and Sikh yatrees wearing colourful dresses. Talking to newsmen after attending the Bhog ceremony as chief guest, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Minorities Affairs Rameesh Lal said that PPP government has taken a number of steps for the betterment of minorities and spent millions of rupees for the up keep of their religious places.
He said that works is underway for a separate marriage law for Sikhs and Hindus and it would be implemented in true spirit soon. Pakistan would be the only country in the world which would promulgate separate marriage law for the minorities, he added. He urged the promotion of religious tourism which would play key role in normalisation of relations between the two countries and ensuring peace in the region. He said that steps are also taken for lifting the visa limit for the Indian Sikh pilgrims.