LAHORE: The Religious Tourism and Heritage Committee (RTHC) has decided to finalise before Sept 30 the process of issuance of visas to Sikh pilgrims from India and around the world to attend the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak in Nankana Sahib.

The RTHC meeting chaired by Governor Chaudhry Sarwar was attended by Interior Minister retired Brig Ijaz Shah, provincial ministers and other officials concerned at Governor House on Wednesday.

The committee reviewed arrangements that have been completed for the “International Sikh Convention” scheduled to be held at Governor House on Aug 31. It also finalised strategy and plan of action for the Kartarpur Corridor Project and the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.

Special shuttle service will be launched from the railway station to the birth place of Baba Guru Nanak.

Directions have also been issued to ensure arrangements for timely completion of the Kartarpur Corridor Project.

The participants were briefed on the convention arrangements such as accommodation, security and food for the pilgrims.

After the meeting, the governor told media persons that the visa process for the Sikh pilgrims would start on Sept 1 and complete by the end of the month. He said work on setting up a “tent city” in Nankana Sahib would begin next week. He said funds had been provided for completion of road from Sucha Sauda to Nankana Sahib and work on the project would begin shortly.

He said a number of Sikh pilgrims would arrive from the UK, the USA and other countries to attend the convention. He said Sikhs would be asked to give suggestions about the corridor project and birth anniversary of their leader. He said the government would consider all the suggestions and implement these.

The governor said the Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan would be facilitated in every way.

“Pakistan will complete the corridor project by November regardless of India’s willingness to work on it or not,” he said. He said Pakistan would not compromise on the rights of minorities residing in Pakistan. “Pakistan is a safe country for the minorities,” he said.

The interior minister told the participants that Imran Khan’s Kartarpur Corridor Project was a historical one through which Pakistan won the hearts of the Sikhs living across the globe. He said promotion of tourism at religious places was included in the government priorities.

He said the government would try its best to make arrangements at religious places to facilitate pilgrims as well as promote a soft image of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2019