Baisakhi: Sikhs return from Pakistan

         Lahore: Nearly 4000 Sikh pilgrims who came to Pakistan to celebrate Janam Khalsa Din and Baisakhi festival have returned. During their stay in the country since April 8, the Sikh pilgrims visited Nankana Sahib, Sacha Sauda Sahib, Punja Sahib, Rori Sahib and Dera Sahib. The pilgrims performed Akhand Paat Sahib, Phog, Ardas and Hukam Nama. A number of pilgrims from India also visited the historical places in Lahore before their return. Some of the pilgrims said that the people of Pakistan and India shared the same culture. "People-to-people contact between them should increase for peace in South Asia," the Daily Times quoted them as saying. They added that the governments of Pakistan and India should relax visa policies so that people from both sides could easily travel across the border. Sardar Amreet Singh from Amritsar said that he was born in Lahore almost 66 years ago. He said that his family had moved to India when he was three years. "I was desperate to visit my jannam bhoomi (birthplace). After a lapse of 63 years, I have gotten a chance to visit Lahore," he added. He further said that he could not describe his feelings for Pakistan in words. "During my visit, I have found that the saying, Lahore Lahore Aye, is true. Leaving the city is very painful for me," he said and added that the Pakistan government should relax its visa policies so that the people of India who had relatives in Pakistan could easily travel. Amreet Singh said that he was returning to India with golden memories. One Sardar Ramaish, who was born in Faisalabad, said that he could not visit his birthplace due to visa restrictions. "According to my visa, I cannot visit any city except Nankana Sahib, Sacha Sauda Sahib, Punja Sahib, Rori Sahib, Kartarpur and Dera Sahib," he added. Ramaish said that the people of Lahore were very hospitable.
- April 17, 2007

Sikh pilgrims want relaxation of Pak visa policies

          Lahore: Indian Sikh pilgrims arriving to take part in the Baisakhi festival have urged the Pakistan government to relax its visa policies. They expressed joy at getting the opportunity to visit Pakistan and felt good at being in Lahore, adding that they hoped relations between Sikhs and Pakistanis would continue to remain strong. "Followers of Baba Guru Nanak felt that it was the right time to forget past differences and to promote peace, friendship and harmony between the two peoples. We have to promote love, peace and humanity in the region and this is only possible if Sikhs and Pakistanis commit themselves to live in peace," said Gurdeep Singh, a pilgrim from Amritsar. "The fact that Pakistanis take care of out holy places is like loving us. We love Pakistanis and love Pakistan," the Daily Times quoted him as saying. Ramesh Chander Sachdev, another pilgrim added: "I am visiting Pakistan for the first time. I was born in Faisalabad 63 years ago and my family left our home when I was three years old. I have wanted to visit my home, but I do not have a visa for Faisalabad district. I appeal to the Pakistani government to relax visa policies and so that people like me can visit their birth places".
- April 9, 2007

Baisakhi: 3000 Sikh pilgrims to visit Pak

          Lahore: About 3,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims will be arriving in Pakistan on Sunday to take part in the Baisakhi festival. They will cross into Pakistan from the Wagah International Border. The Evacuee Trust Property Board has already made arrangements to accommodate the visitors. Every year in April thousands of Sikhs from India come to Pakistan to participate in the Baisakhi festival. This year the Indian and Pakistani governments have agreed to give visas to 3,000 Indian Sikhs. However, the number of Sikh visitors from other countries is not fixed. According to the Daily Times, the yatris will visit Nankana Sahib-Sacha Sauda Sahib, Dera Sahib and Gurdawara Roori Sahib in Aimanabad. The main function will be held at Punja Sahib, Hassan Abdal. The function will feature religious rituals including the Akhand Paat Sahib, Phog, Ardas and Hukam Nama. Thousands of Sikhs from the UK, the US, Germany, Canada and France are also expected to attend the festival.
- April 8, 2007

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