LAHORE    -   As many as 89 Hindu pilgrims ar­rived here on Tuesday through the Wagah border on a six-day visit to participate in Shivratri (night of Shiva) celebrations at the Katas Raj temple in Punjab.

The pilgrims, led by Sanjay Mehl­awat, were received by Secretary Shrines Evacuee Trust property Board (ETPB) Rana Shahid on be­half of Chairman ETPB Habibur Rehman Geelani. 

Talking to the media, the secre­tary said the pilgrims would spend a day in Lahore and then will leave for Katas Raj temple where main celebrations would be held on Thursday. The pilgrims would re­turn to India on December 25.

“I welcome the pilgrims coming to Pakistan not only from India but from all over the world on behalf of the Pakistani government”, he remarked. 

Speaking on this occasion, Sanjay Mehlawat, the head of the delega­tion, said: “I had come to Pakistan last year and received a lot of love from Pakistanis. Today, I have re­ceived the warmest reception”. He added that: “ We will spend three days in Chakwal and then return on 

the 25th of December”.

Members of the delegation ex­pressed their great happiness and pleasure after reaching Pakistan and said it was their first visit to Paki­stan and they received great respect, honour and love on their arrival.