70 Indian Sikh pilgrims reach Pakistan, 25 more expected today

Islamabad, Sep 21 (UNI) Seventy Indian Sikh pilgrims arrived at Wagah Railway Station on the Samjhauta Express to participate in the 468th death anniversary (Jyoti Jot) of Guru Nanak Dev.

Altogether three groups, two with 38 pilgrims and one with 32 pilgrims arrived yesterday for Jyoti Jot of the first Sikh Guru, at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Narowal.

Jyoti Jot started at the Gurdwara yesterday with the reading of the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, and will end tomorrow with Bhog Sahib (distribution of sweets among the pilgrims).

Two of the groups were led by Sardar Bhupinder Singh Bhullar of Bhai Mardana Society and Sardar Swaran Singh Gill of the Jora Ghar Sewa Society, Amritsar respectively.

The groups were received at the railway station by members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) including its president Sardar Bishon Singh, the Daily Times reported.

''We are happy with the reception we received. The people of India and Pakistan need to visit each other's countries more often to bridge the gap created between them by political differences'' Sardar Bhullar said.

Talking about the availability of visas, he said though the pilgrims did not face any difficulty in getting visas, it would be better if the visas would be given at the border itself.

Sardar Gill reiterated the need for a similar visa policy, saying that the love for Lahore attracted Sikhs to the city and the visa policy should help them.

The five-day visit of the pilgrims would include visit to other gurdwaras including Sacha Sauda, Panja Sahib, Dera Sahib and Imanabad.

UNI