Indian Sikh pilgrims return home after Vaisakhi

LAHORE: After concluding their week-long religious and cultural itinerary, Sikh pilgrims from India are scheduled to return to their homeland via the Wagah Border today (Sunday).

A total of 2,238 pilgrims arrived on April 10 to participate in the Baisakhi festivities. While the Pakistani government had issued approximately 2,800 visas for the occasion, around 600 individuals were unable to make the journey.

The conclusion of the visit was marked by a vibrant cultural night hosted by the Punjab government at Hazuri Bagh, alongside a ceremony at the Dayal Singh Trust Library. The event at Hazuri Bagh featured traditional music and performances, with pilgrims seen dancing to drum beats in a display of communal joy and unity.

Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Qamaruz Zaman described the cultural night as a symbol of hospitality and interfaith harmony, reaffirming the state's commitment to facilitating international pilgrims. Shrines Additional Secretary Nasir Mushtaq added that the bond between Muslims and Sikhs is exemplary, noting the deep historical connection of Sikhism to this land.

Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, observed that the visit had fundamentally altered the pilgrims' perceptions. He noted that many visitors expressed a deep reluctance to leave, with some moved to tears as the journey came to an end.

During their stay, the pilgrims performed religious rites at Gurdwara Sri Dera Sahib, offering collective prayers for regional peace, interfaith understanding, and improved Pakistan-India relations. The delegation also toured Lahore’s historical landmarks, including the Lahore Fort and the Walled City, and visited major commercial centers like Anarkali and Shah Alam Market.

Jatha leader Sardar Surjit Singh commended the security and maintenance of the gurdwaras, while other pilgrims expressed their satisfaction with the facilities and hospitality provided by the Punjab government and the ETPB.