LAHORE: A group of 130 Hindu pilgrims arrived at the Wagah border crossing here on Sunday to participate in the Shivratri festival at Katas Raj temples.

Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) secretary Tariq Wazir, deputy secretary Faraz Abbas, PRO Amir Hussain Hashmi and others received the pilgrims at the Wagah crossing.

Talking to journalists at Wagah border, group leader Shiv Partab Bajaj thanked the Pakistan government and the ETPB for development works carried out at Katas Raj temples.

Millions of rupees were being spent for restoration and renovation of the temples.

He said Pakistan was a lovely neighbouring country and people of Pakistan and India respected each other, adding that all issues between the two nations should be resolved through dialogue.

The delegation leader said: “Our worship places are safe in Pakistan and we enjoy religious freedom in the country.”

Speaking on the occasion, ETPB secretary Wazir said that the board was providing all possible facilities, including foolproof security, accommodation, medical and journey, to the pilgrims.

The pilgrims would visit Katas Raj temples in Chakwal on Dec 10 to attend the ceremony.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2018