Amritsar (Dawarka Nath Rana): The Pakistan Sikh Pilgrimage Jatha will leave from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) office in Amritsar at 8 am on June 21 to pay obeisance at historic Sikh shrines in Pakistan on the occasion of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary.
The devotees will visit various gurdwaras in Pakistan. Thereafter, they will return to India on June 30.
Baba Boota Singh to Lead the Jatha
SGPC member Baba Boota Singh will lead the Pakistan Sikh Pilgrimage Jatha. Meanwhile, Khushwinder Singh Bhatia and Bibi Harjinder Kaur will serve as deputy leaders.
In addition, SGPC Deputy Secretary Azaddeep Singh will accompany the group as the general manager of the pilgrimage.
SGPC Hands Over Visa-Stamped Passports
During a function held on Friday, SGPC General Secretary Sher Singh Mandwala, Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan, internal committee member Major Singh Dhillon, OSD Satbir Singh, and Secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan handed over visa-stamped passports to the devotees.
Moreover, several SGPC officials attended the ceremony.
Devotees Show Great Enthusiasm
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan said that every Sikh wishes to visit the historic gurdwaras situated in Pakistan.
Furthermore, he said that devotees joining the Pakistan Sikh Pilgrimage Jatha are excited and eager to pay obeisance at these revered shrines.
He added that SGPC has completed all necessary arrangements for the pilgrimage. Therefore, the organization will send off the devotees according to Panthic traditions from the SGPC office on June 21.
Pakistan Issues Visas to 290 Devotees
Kulwant Singh Mannan revealed that SGPC had submitted 302 passports for visa approval.
However, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi did not issue visas to 12 applicants. Consequently, 290 devotees received visas and collected their passports on Friday.
Meanwhile, officials advised those devotees who could not collect their passports to obtain them from the SGPC office before the departure of the Pakistan Sikh Pilgrimage Jatha.
Historic Pilgrimage to Strengthen Spiritual Bonds
The Pakistan Sikh Pilgrimage Jatha provides Sikh devotees an opportunity to visit sacred shrines associated with Sikh history and heritage.
Moreover, such visits strengthen spiritual ties and help preserve the community’s historical connection with gurdwaras located across the border.
Officials from the SGPC’s travel department, including Jagjit Singh, also remained present during the passport distribution ceremony.
Key Points of the news:
- The Pakistan Sikh Pilgrimage Jatha will depart from Amritsar on June 21.
- The group will visit historic Sikh shrines in Pakistan and return on June 30.
- Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has made all necessary arrangements.
- Out of 302 passport applications, Pakistan granted visas to 290 devotees.
- SGPC member Baba Boota Singh will lead the pilgrimage group.
