LAHORE, Nov 14: The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) has decided to construct three hotels to provide better accommodation facilities for the comfort of visiting Sikh pilgrims during their stay in Pakistan. The three-star hotels will be built one each at Nankana Sahib, Pajnja Sahib and Lahore where they perform their religious ceremonies.

ETPB chairman Zulfiqar Ali Khan told this agency here on Monday that the government attached great importance to the welfare of pilgrims and Hindus during their visit to their holy places in Pakistan.

He said the board would construct the hotels with a sole objective of providing first class lodging and accommodation facilities to the pilgrims.

He said it was for the first time that 16,000 pilgrims, including foreign and locals, were visiting Pakistan in connection with the performance of religious rituals.

He said the board was striving hard to provide best possible facilities to the Sikh pilgrims with the active involvement of the members and office-bearers of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committees.

The chairman said existing lodging and boarding facilities at all Gurdwaras were being improved at a cost of Rs150 million. —APP