LAHORE: - Sikh pilgrims from India and elsewhere in the world concluded their ceremonies with regard to Ranjit Singh’s 179th death anniversary at Gurdwara Dera Sahib near Lahore Fort on Friday.

Pilgrims are leaving for India on a special train on Saturday. 

Balwindar Singh representing the Indian Sikh pilgrims delegate thanked the hospitality and security provided to them during their pilgrimage in Pakistan.

He thanked Pakistan Rangers, security persons, media persons especially ETPB who made special arrangements for Sikhs Yatrees. Balwinder said Muslims and Sikhs have cordial relations with each other for centuries.

Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs & Inter-Faith Harmony Tahir Masood Ch addressing pilgrims from India said they should convey the positive message of hospitality they enjoyed in Pakistan that will promote the bilateral friendship between the two countries.  “The Sikhs have been enjoying full rights in Pakistan,” he said.

Provincial Minister for Religious Affairs Ch Faisal Mushtaq said minorities in Pakistan are like flowers in a bouquet.  

Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Tahir Ehsan, Secretary Board Muhammad Tariq Wazir and others were present. He said both the counties India and Pakistan should resolve their differences and disputes through talks.   Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Tara Singh criticized India for stopping the flow of water to Pakistan.

 “Ranjeet Singh’s ideology was to unite the people of Punjab under one banner and keeping in view his ideology Sikhs all over the globe should work collectively to solve the problems,” he said. 

Pilgrims sharing their experience in Pakistan said they were happy with the arrangements and Pakistan treated them well. Both counties should relax visa rules to facilitate more Sikhs to visit their religious places in Pakistan. More than 200 Sikhs pilgrims arrived on June 20 on a special train to perform their religious rituals at Nanakana Sahib and Gurudawara Dera Shaib in Lahore.