Over 300 Sikh pilgrims visiting Lahore for Ranjit Singh's anniv: Pak High Commission

Over 300 Sikh pilgrims from India have been granted visas and are visiting Pakistan to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore, the Pakistan High Commission here said today.

"A special train arranged by the Pakistan Railways carried the pilgrims from Attari to Pakistan on June 21," it said in a statement.

The visas issued by the High Commission are in addition to the ones issued to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from other countries, it said.

"Within the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, a large number of Sikh yatrees from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions every year.

"Accordingly, the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi has issued visas to over 300 Sikh pilgrims from India to observe the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, from June 21-30," the High Commission said.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a Sikh leader of a kingdom, which ruled the northwest Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century. He died in Lahore on June 27, 1839.

His memorial, designed combining Hindu, Islamic, and Sikh motifs, is located adjacent the Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque, as well the Gurdwara Dera Sahib.

Every years pilgrims flock to his memorial to pay respect.

"The issuance of pilgrimage visas is in line with the government of Pakistan's efforts for promoting visit to religious shrines and people-to-people interactions. It also reflects the commitment of the government of Pakistan to faithfully implement the bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines," the statement said.

"The government of Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious places and providing all possible facilitation for the visiting pilgrims of all faiths," it added.

Meanwhile, another batch of Sikh pilgrims from India returned from Pakistan after observing the martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev Ji from June 8-17, the High Commission said.

Earlier, in April, the Pakistan High Commission had issued visas to over 2,000 Sikh pilgrims from India for celebrating Baisakhi festival in Pakistan, it said.