ISLAMABAD:The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, on Thursday reviewed arrangements for the 557th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, at a high-level meeting held at the Board’s headquarters.
The meeting was chaired by ETPB Secretary Nasir Mushtaq, while Chairman Qamar Zaman participated through video link. Senior officials from Rangers, Customs, Immigration, Rescue 1122 and Sui Gas, along with district police officers, deputy commissioners and representatives of relevant administrative departments, attended the meeting.
The participants reviewed arrangements for the security, accommodation, transportation, healthcare and other facilities for Sikh pilgrims arriving from India and other countries to participate in the annual religious celebrations.
Indian Sikh pilgrims are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan through the Wagah Border on November 22, where they will be accorded a warm welcome. The main ceremony marking the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji will be held in Nankana Sahib on November 24.
Addressing the meeting, ETPB Chairman Qamar Zaman said freedom of religious worship and pilgrimage was a fundamental human and religious right. He said Pakistan would extend its traditional hospitality to Sikh pilgrims from across the world, particularly those arriving from India, and ensure that they could perform their religious rituals in a peaceful and secure environment.
He expressed confidence that all relevant institutions would extend their full cooperation to provide the pilgrims with the best possible facilities throughout their visit.
Secretary Nasir Mushtaq said comprehensive arrangements were being finalised to ensure the safe, comfortable and smooth movement of Sikh pilgrims during their stay in Pakistan.
He said the pilgrims would be provided with high-quality, air-conditioned buses for transportation, while accommodation facilities would be equipped with medical services and other essential amenities. Special arrangements would also be made to provide bottled mineral water to ensure access to clean drinking water.
Currency exchange facilities and telephone booths would be established to facilitate the pilgrims during their stay, he added.
Mushtaq said special attention was being given to accommodation and langar arrangements to ensure that the pilgrims received appropriate hospitality throughout the celebrations.
He further stated that Rescue 1122 ambulances would accompany every convoy of 20 buses to respond promptly to medical emergencies. Uninterrupted electricity and gas supplies would also be ensured at the pilgrims’ accommodation facilities and other relevant locations.
The secretary said police, Rangers, Rescue 1122 and other concerned departments were actively coordinating to ensure foolproof security and provide all necessary facilities to the visiting pilgrims.
He added that medical personnel and essential healthcare services would remain available at all accommodation locations throughout the pilgrims’ stay.
Nasir Mushtaq expressed hope that Sikh pilgrims would return to their home countries with fond memories of Pakistan’s hospitality, love and respect.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of all relevant departments to work in close coordination to ensure the successful, peaceful and secure observance of the 557th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.