LAHORE: As many as 1,724 Sikh pilgrims from India arrived here on Tuesday by crossing Wagah border to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Ji scheduled to be held on Nov 12 in Nankana Sahib.

Since more pilgrims are expected on Nov 6 (today), those who arrived here on Tuesday reached Nankana Sahib. The pilgrims would also participate in the inaugural ceremony of Kartarpur corridor on Nov 9 where the prime minister would address.

“It is a matter of great pleasure, respect and honour for us that we are here to participate in the celebrations to mark Baba Guru Nanak Ji’s birth anniversary,” Sardar Gurumeet Singh, New Delhi Shurumini Gurdawara Parbandhak Committee party leader, said while talking to the media at Wagah. “We are also thankful to Imran Khan for opening Kartarpur corridor for the Sikh community.”

Earlier, the officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) led by Chairman Dr Amir Ahmad received the pilgrims warmly.

The pilgrims were offered free food on the occasion. And later they were taken to Nankana under tight security. “I think Kartarpur is a unique gift from Pakistan’s government for the entire Sikhs living in India and other countries,” the ETPB chairman said on the occasion.

According to programme, the pilgrims after staying initially at Nankana Sahib, will depart for Gurdawara Darbar Sahib (Kartarpur, Narowal) by road on Nov 7. On Nov 8, they would stay at Narowal. And on Nov 9, they would return Nankana Sahib after attending the Kartarpur corridor opening ceremony. On Nov 12, the pilgrims will attend the main ceremony (Bhog Akhand Paath Sahib / Nasgar Kirtan) to mark Baba Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary. And on Nov 13 and 14, they would return home via Wagah.

LDA AVENUE-I: The Lahore Development Authority announced on Tuesday to hold a ballot for 136 affectees of Avenue-1 scheme on Wednesday (today), according to a spokesman. Meanwhile, various teams of the LDA dismantled infrastructure of four illegal housing schemes.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2019