NAROWAL: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited Zero Line Kartarpur Sharif in Kheti Sahib to officially inaugurate ‘Baisakhi’ by harvesting the golden crop of wheat with a golden sickle.

She expressed happiness on the honour of harvesting in Baba Guru Nanak’s field.

Sikh women warmly greeted her with folded hands at Pak Darshan Deodhi. Sikh youths performed traditional Gatka.

The chief minister also visited Sarovar (holy pond), Samadhi (prayer hall), Guru Ghar and had darshan of Sangat. She was briefed about the facilitation centre. She said: “Today we are celebrating Baisakhi festival for the first time at the official level. The doors of Pakistan are open to Sikh men and women from all over the world. Sikh pilgrims come to Pakistan and perform religious rituals at holy places with complete freedom. Sikh pilgrims will be provided complete security, travel and best residential facilities in Pakistan.”

Maryam opens festival by harvesting wheat

The Indian Sikh Jatha leader appreciated the chief minister’s initiatives and arrangements. He thanked her for the love and care, and said, ”We all are proud of daughter of Punjab becoming the chief minister.”

President Delhi Goroband Committee Raminder Singh Bumrah draped Sarupa (shawl) on Maryam. Diljit Singh Sarnan presented Kirpan and other gifts to her. Sarupa (shawl) and gifts were also presented to Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Maryam also visited the Sikh Art Gallery and ate food with the pilgrims at the Langar Hall. She was entertained with boiled rice, curry pakoras, groundnut daal, sweet rice, roti and pickles.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, ministers Ramesh Singh Arora, Bilal Akbar, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, MNA Anwarul Haq, MPA Wasim Butt, Rana Manan, secretaries of tourism and agriculture departments, the commissioner and other officials were present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2024