LAHORE: The Punjab government has finalised an elaborate, multi agency security and administrative framework for the 327th Vaisakhi festival, with an estimated 26,000 participants, including 6,000 international Sikh pilgrims, expected to attend ceremonies across key cities of the province.
Senior official told Daily Jang that the meeting chaired by Minority Affairs Minister Ramesh Singh Arora reviewed preparedness for the annual festival, which will commence with the arrival of pilgrims at the Wagah Joint Check Post on April 10.
According to the official, around 20,000 local attendees, 3,000 pilgrims from India and 3,000 members of the Sikh diaspora from across the world are expected to participate. The visiting pilgrims will travel to Nankana Sahib, Farooqabad, Hasan Abdal and the main venue of the festival Kartarpur in Narowal, Gujranwala and Lahore before departing for India on April 19.
Official said the minister appreciated the coordinated efforts of all departments during previous religious events, including the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Christmas celebrations in 2025, noting that continued institutional coordination was essential to promote religious tourism and project a positive global image of Pakistan.
A detailed briefing by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) outlined the schedule and logistics, reaffirming its role as the lead federal agency responsible for organising the festival, with full support from provincial departments. The meeting aimed to ensure timely execution of arrangements and to address any operational challenges.
Security agencies, including the Special Branch and Counter-Terrorism Department, highlighted existing threat assessments and vulnerabilities, prompting directives for heightened vigilance. Authorities approved a comprehensive three-tier security strategy covering all gurdwaras, transit routes and accommodation facilities, including installation of walkthrough gates, surveillance cameras, searchlights and layered security cordons.
Police authorities have been directed to prepare district-specific security plans, with officers of at least superintendent rank overseeing arrangements at each location. Parking areas near gurdwaras will be secured, and no unattended vehicles will be permitted in sensitive zones.
Pakistan Rangers and district police will manage security at Wagah during arrival and departure, while intelligence-based combing operations will be conducted along routes and around all key religious sites.
To facilitate pilgrims, immigration and customs authorities will increase the number of counters at Wagah, introduce dedicated counters for elderly individuals and women, and deploy advanced biometric systems for efficient processing. Authorities have also directed improvements in sanitation facilities and strict monitoring to prevent unauthorised currency exchange operations.
Administrative measures include installation of additional entry gates to ease congestion, identification of alternative accommodation including educational institutions in Hasan Abdal, deployment of fire brigades and bomb disposal units, and presence of food safety teams at all designated locations. Cleanliness and horticulture staff will also be deployed along routes and at religious sites. Banking arrangements will ensure currency exchange facilities at Wagah and gurdwaras through the State Bank of Pakistan, National Bank of Pakistan and Bank of Punjab, with additional counters to facilitate pilgrims.
