TAXILA, Dec 3: Sikh pilgrims have urged the governments of Pakistan and India to remove visa restrictions on senior citizens and relax immigration laws to facilitate ordinary people of both the countries. Talking to reporters at Gurdwara Punja Sahib, Hassanabdal, the leader of visiting Sikh pilgrims Sardar Saramjeet Singh has stressed the need for more people-to-people contact to promote peace in the region.

The dialogue process between India and Pakistan would prove fruitful in resolving longstanding mutual issues.

Expressing his satisfaction at the progress made in the ongoing peace process he hoped that this would continue unabated and these friendly relations would translate into cooperation in all issues including easing visa restrictions and other such sectors.

He appreciated the steps taken by the government and the local administration to properly look after the Gurdwara, one of the holiest temples of Sikh religion.

He said the Evacuee Trust Board was maintaining the shrine and the residential blocks. He said the minorities in Pakistan enjoyed equal rights and their places of worship were secure.

He said the present process of dialogue between the two countries was a good initiative.

He said people from both sides of the border wanted peace and normalization of relations between the two countries as it was the only solution to all problems.

He said the relations between Muslims and Sikhs were strong as both believed in the oneness of God. They have the same language and culture and understand each other’s point of view.