TAXILA, Nov 22: Thousands of Sikh pilgrims arrived in Hassanabdal on Monday to participate in the 535th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak. On their arrival, the yatrees were received by officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and local administration at Hassanabdal railway station from where they were taken to Gurdwara Punja Sahib.

Besides India, a large number of Sikhs from across the world including America, the UK, Canada, the UAE and interior Sindh and Fata have also arrived to perform their religious rites.

The world-famous Gurdwara Punja Sahib gave a festive look after having been decorated with flags and banners by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, the ETPB and the tehsil administration. Police and other law-enforcement agencies have made special security arrangements for the visitors.

On Wednesday, the Sikh pilgrims will proceed to Nankana Sahib to participate in the birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak, where they will stay for four days. On the last leg of their visit, the yatrees will reach the provincial capital to perform religious rites at Gurdawara Dera Sahib. They will return home on November 30.

SIKH LEADER: Sikh community across Pakistan enjoys religious freedom and has made contributions in every sphere of life by availing opportunities in the country. This was stated by Sardar Qabul Singh, the leader of Indian Sikh Janta, while talking to this correspondent at Gurdwara Punja Sahib.

The Sikh leader appreciated the steps taken by the government and the local administration over the years for looking after the Gurdwara. He said the evacuee trust board was maintaining the main shrine and the residential blocks satisfactorily.

Mr Singh said the Pakistani government was providing special facilities on important occasions at Gurdwara including health care, information centre, post office and police reporting centre. A doctor and nursing staff is also present round the clock to provide medical care to yatrees, he added.