Pakistan to issue 10,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims

[ghazi52]

Pakistan to issue 10,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims

September 13, 2019

Sikh pilgrims reach the most revered holy site Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassanabdal. PHOTO : REUTERS

LAHORE: Pakistan will issue more than 10,000 visas to the Sikh pilgrims in November this year, to attend the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Gurunank Dev.

Arrival of Sikh pilgrims would start from the first week of November. Special trains will bring Sikh pilgrims. Sikh pilgrims will reach Wagha railway station from Indian Atari railway station and then proceed would to Nankana Sahab.

The arrival of Sikh pilgrims would continue till November 8. Sikh pilgrims from other countries would also come to Pakistan through Wagha border.

The head of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara committee Sardar Satwant Singh invited Sikhs from all over the world to attend the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. He said in the mid of October a tent city would be setup to accommodate the pilgrims from across the world. Additional counters would be established on Wagha border by custom and immigration authorities to facilitate the pilgrims.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan starts issuing visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims

September 15, 2019
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2057039/1-pakistan-starts-issuing-visas-indian-sikh-pilgrims/

File photo of Sikh pilgrims (PHOTO: FILE)

LAHORE: Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi has started issuing visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims who want to participate in the Pakistan-India Nagar Kirtan, which would start on October 28 in New Delhi and reach Janam Astana Shri Nankana Sahib on October 31.

The Nagar Kirtan is a rally for the Sikh religious book, Guru Granth Sahib, which is decorated in Palki Sahib and will be brought from New Delhi to Nankana Sahib accompanied by Sikh pilgrims.

Invitations to welcome the Nagar Kirtan at the Wagah border have been sent to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri and other federal and provincial ministers.

Preparations are underway to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji in a historical manner in India and Pakistan.

The former head of Delhi Gurdwara Management Company and the administrator of Nagar Kirtan Sardar Paramjit Singh Sarna informed The Express Tribune that the Pakistani high commission had started issuing visas for Nagar Kirtan.

A total of 1,500 visas would be issued and the process for most of the visas has been completed. He said Pakistan government and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee had given permission for Nagar Kirtan in 2018.

Sarna said two delegations would visit Pakistan – first on September 20 and then on October 2. These delegations would be given one week visa, while the participants of the Nagar Kirtan are being issued visa from October 31 till November 14.

He said he arrived in Pakistan a few weeks back and has invited Punjab governor, Punjab chief minister, federal minister for religious affairs, other ministers and committees of Sain Mian Mir Foundation, Hazrat Data Ali Hajweri and Hazrat Baba Farid shrines to welcome Nagar Kirtan at Wagah border.

In response to a question, Sarna said the charge of Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee is in the hands of people who are doing politics. He observed that the committee was collecting money from different gurdwaras for Nagar Kirtan but Pakistan has only given permission for one Nagar Kirtan.

Sarna said they would take out a small Nagar Kirtan from New Delhi to Bahadur Garh. He noted that Shri Akal Takht Sahib has also supported them and declared that they stand with the Nagar Kirtan.

Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee’s Pardhan Sardar Satwant Singh said hundreds of Sikhs would welcome Nagar Kirtan at the Wagah border and that arrangements of food and stay are being made for the participants.

After the creation of Pakistan, this will be the first religious rally of Sikhs, which would move from New Delhi and reach Nankana Sahib.

Earlier on August 1, 2019, one Nagar Kirtan had left from Nankana Sahib to Sultan Pur Lodhi, India, and is still passing by many different states.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Welcome to Sikh Pilgrims friends of Kashmir & Pakistan

 

[Dual Wielder]

The Sikhs are much better organised than the Kashmiri's in UK and other overseas countries like Canada. Their support for our Kashmir issue is commendable, I hope Pakistanis show their gratitude and welcome them with open arms, and make their stay the most pleasant and memorable one.

 

[M.Bison]

I hope the government will use this new initiative for "religious" tourism to benefit the community instead of mismanaging this influx of money and ultimately ruin an opportunity. They should let the Sikhs open their own businesses, schools, and institutions to benefit the Sikh community within Pakistan. For example, the kartarpur corridor will lead to a lot of money pouring into these areas. The government should collaborate with Sikhs to develop that area and benefit the lay person.

 

[ziaulislam]

Pakistan to issue 10,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims

September 13, 2019

Sikh pilgrims reach the most revered holy site Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassanabdal. PHOTO : REUTERS

LAHORE: Pakistan will issue more than 10,000 visas to the Sikh pilgrims in November this year, to attend the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Gurunank Dev.

Arrival of Sikh pilgrims would start from the first week of November. Special trains will bring Sikh pilgrims. Sikh pilgrims will reach Wagha railway station from Indian Atari railway station and then proceed would to Nankana Sahab.

The arrival of Sikh pilgrims would continue till November 8. Sikh pilgrims from other countries would also come to Pakistan through Wagha border.

The head of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara committee Sardar Satwant Singh invited Sikhs from all over the world to attend the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. He said in the mid of October a tent city would be setup to accommodate the pilgrims from across the world. Additional counters would be established on Wagha border by custom and immigration authorities to facilitate the pilgrims.

i just hope we dont loose money
visa should be OFFERED TO EVERYONE but govt should subsidize it

not just 10,000

The Sikhs are much better organised than the Kashmiri's in UK and other overseas countries like Canada. Their support for our Kashmir issue is commendable, I hope Pakistanis show their gratitude and welcome them with open arms, and make their stay the most pleasant and memorable one.

why do sikh in UK suport kashmir cause
the ones i met are plain old indians

 

[El Sidd]

Welcome to our Sikh Brothers.

The scared land of Pakistan bids welcome to you with all the zeal and gratitude.

 

[Dual Wielder]

why do sikh in UK suport kashmir cause
the ones i met are plain old indians

Because both groups are victims of Indian aggression, thus a common interest, and also since Pakistan is the only country in south Asia that can accommodate their will for self determination. We did support their Khalistan movement in the past, but unfortunately Benazir destroyed it..

 

[Flash_Ninja]

i just hope we dont loose money
visa should be OFFERED TO EVERYONE but govt should subsidize it

not just 10,000


why do sikh in UK suport kashmir cause
the ones i met are plain old indians

I think the fees are higher for pilgrims, but we have no need to be generous these are assets of Pakistan and foreigners should contribute the upkeep of infrastructure if they want to visit.

 

[PaulSimon]

why do sikh in UK suport kashmir cause
the ones i met are plain old indians

Kashmir was part of Sikh Empire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_the_Sikh_Empire.png

i just hope we dont loose money
visa should be OFFERED TO EVERYONE but govt should subsidize it

not just 10,000

I agree. The visas should with unlimited and a fee of $2000 per head should be charged.

The Sikhs are much better organised than the Kashmiri's in UK and other overseas countries like Canada. Their support for our Kashmir issue is commendable, I hope Pakistanis show their gratitude and welcome them with open arms, and make their stay the most pleasant and memorable one.

Sikhs are natural warriors like Pushtuns.

 

[Pakistansdefender]

Pakistan should realize its potential.as religious turorist place .
Not only 3 gurdwaras such as
Panja saheb
Nanakana saheb
Kartarpur saheb Are associated with guru nanak .
But
Bal lillah saheb
Malji saheb
Sacha Saudi saheb
Baba di beri
Chowa saheb
Are also directly related to Sikhism .
There are 126 gurdwaras directly related to guru nanek where India has none .
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th and 6th patshahi gurdwaras and their samadhis are in Pakistan where as you seldom find a 9th patshahi gurdwara in India
.
Pakistan need to channel and make a full mechanism

 

[PaulSimon]

I think the fees are higher for pilgrims, but we have no need to be generous these are assets of Pakistan and foreigners should contribute the upkeep of infrastructure if they want to visit.

Yes. Agree the proposed $20 per head of fee is too low.

Pakistan should realize its potential.as religious turorist place .
Not only 3 gurdwaras such as
Panja saheb
Nanakana saheb
Kartarpur saheb Are associated with guru nanak .
But
Bal lillah saheb
Malji saheb
Sacha Saudi saheb
Baba di beri
Chowa saheb
Are also directly related to Sikhism .
There are 126 gurdwaras directly related to guru nanek where India has none .
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th and 6th patshahi gurdwaras and their samadhis are in Pakistan where as you seldom find a 9th patshahi gurdwara in India
.
Pakistan need to channel and make a full mechanism

Also, Sikhism is closer to Islam than Hinduism.

Because both groups are victims of Indian aggression, thus a common interest, and also since Pakistan is the only country in south Asia that can accommodate their will for self determination. We did support their Khalistan movement in the past, but unfortunately Benazir destroyed it..

Pakistan should ensure that only Sikhs who give up supporting India and give up being part of Indian military be allowed.


Sikh soldiers in Indian army to refuse orders of fighting against Pakistan: WSP



Web Desk

MARCH 4, 2019

LONDON: The World Sikh Parliament (WSP) said that Hindu extremists are responsible for the tensions between Pakistan and India.


The World Sikh Parliament (WSP) said that Pulwama attack proved the extremist Hindus are ruling India. Ranjit Singh Srai said that BJP and Congress both are using Pulwama attack as an election tool. He said, “The Sikh homeland in Indian-controlled Punjab, which itself is going through its own struggle for self-determination, is therefore at the heart of the issue and the World Sikh Parliament will hold India strictly to account for any loss of life or destruction in our homeland.”

He added, “The World Sikh Parliament urges the UN to take the lead in seizing this moment to nurture peaceful conflict resolution in both Kashmir and Punjab, based on international law which recognizes the right of self-determination as a fundamental human right.”

Ranjit Singh Srai continued “The forcible denial of that right has led directly to hundreds of thousands of deaths in both regions over recent decades; it is time the international community woke up to the need to address the unlawful and morally indefensible position of the Indian state. Let us be clear; there will be no peace in the region until that happens.”

World Sikh Parliament said that “The use of nuclear weapons there risks the annihilation of most of the world’s Sikhs, no Sikh can support the warmongering antics of the Indian establishment and its hysterical media acolytes.”

The WSP appreciated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s gesture of peace and said: “We laud the peaceful posture and wise counsel of Pakistan PM Imran Khan who has repeatedly offered negotiations to his counterpart over recent days.”

In case of war, WSP said that “We call on Sikh soldiers serving in Indian forces to refuse to engage in offensive actions and instead to go to Punjab to protect its people in the face of an existential threat to the Sikh nation and other Punjabis. The World Sikh Parliament also extends its full support to those in Kashmir struggling to secure self-determination in accordance with international law.”

 

[salarsikander]

Pakistan should ensure that only Sikhs who give up supporting India and give up being part of Indian military be allowed.

Nope, their affiliation with Indian military will be useful to us, And no worshipper should be banned bcoz he belongs to some organization, them being part of Indian armed forces can help us in long term