LAHORE: The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, held a high-level meeting to review preparations for the upcoming Baisakhi festival, with around 3,000 Sikh yatrees expected to arrive in Pakistan on April 10.
The meeting, held at the Punjab Home Department, was attended by Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique and Provincial Minister as well as Pardhan of the Pakistan Sikh GurdwaraParbandhak Committee Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora.
Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq briefed participants on arrangements for yatrees, stating that Sikh yatrees from India and other countries would participate in the celebrations.The main ceremony will be held on April 14 at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, while yatrees will also visit Nankana Sahib, Farooqabad (Sheikhupura), Kartarpur Corridor, Eminabad and Lahore.
He said that foolproof security, quality medical facilities and transport arrangements would be ensured for the visitors.Addressing the meeting, Ramesh Singh Arora stressed inter-departmental coordination to present a positive image of Pakistan internationally.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the Punjab government would extend full hospitality to visiting yatrees in accordance with their traditions and ensure their safety and comfortable stay.Officials were directed to ensure fitness certification of all transport vehicles, provision of additional washrooms, heavy-duty generators and increased counters of the Federal Investigation Agency.
Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said that Sikh yatrees would be extended maximum respect and facilities so they feel at home, adding that uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity at all gurdwaras including Gurdwara Janam Asthan, would be ensured, while a zero-tolerance policy would be adopted for their security.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from human rights, health, police, transport, customs, FIA, Rangers and Motorway Police departments, while commissioners, RPOs, deputy commissioners and DPOs from Nankana Sahib, Narowal, Gujranwala, Hasan Abdal and other districts joined via video link.
