Lahore, Indian Sikhs visiting Pakistan to observe the death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev want all gurdwaras in the country to be made functional and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) to be given more power. “We want to see the PSGPC as the most powerful and independent representative committee of Sikhs in Pakistan,†Raghbir Singh Saharnmajra, leader of Indian pilgrims, said.
PSGPC members should be chosen through elections and legislation should be made in this regard, Saharnmajra, a member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, told the Daily Times. He called on the authorities of the two countries to set up visa facilities in Lahore and Amritsar to ease travel restrictions between India and Pakistan.
He claimed the Lahore-Amritsar bus service was a failure because of visa restrictions. “Visa sections should be opened in Lahore and Amritsar to ease travel between the two countries,†Saharnmajra said. He also said the two countries should create a passageway for Indian Sikhs to visit the Kartarpur Gurdwara in Narowal, located hardly a kilometre from the Indian border.
About 750 Indian Sikhs arrived in Lahore yesterday to commemorate the 402nd death anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev. Evacuee Trust Property Board additional secretary Saddique Khurram welcomed the pilgrims at Wagah railway station. The pilgrims will return to India on June 17.
Saharnmajra said the Pakistan government should give Sikhs land in Lahore to build a 400-room complex for visiting pilgrims. “We have been asking the Pakistan government for land for the past two years,†he said.
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