The issuance of visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to fully implement the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974….reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Monday issued 473 visas to Sikh pilgrims to attend the annual death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from June 21-30.
Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires Salman Sharif wished the pilgrims a “rewarding and fulfilling journey.” Taking to Twitter, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi tweeted, “On the occasion of the Death Anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, @PakinIndia has issued 473 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend the annual anniversary scheduled to be held in Pakistan from 21-30 June 2023.” It further stated, “Cd’A Salman Sharif extended heartfelt felicitations to the pilgrims and wished them a rewarding and fulfilling journey. During the visit, the pilgrims would, inter alia, go to Gurdwaras at Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib.”
Earlier on June 6, Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued 215 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled on the eve of Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Jee to be held in Pakistan from June 8-17, 2023.
The issuance of visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to fully implement the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974.
Every year, a large number of Indian pilgrims visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions. On the occasion, Charge d’Affaires Salman Sharif, wished the pilgrims a rewarding and fulfilling journey.
During their stay in Pakistan, the pilgrims will visit a number of holy sites including Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Earlier in April, around 2, 856 Sikh pilgrims visited Pakistan to celebrate Baishakhi.
Amendment to Sikh Gurdwara Act
The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday said that the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will pave the way “for eliminating the undue control of ‘Modern Day Masands’ over the free to air telecast of the sacred Gurbani”.
Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said that the Cabinet has approved the proposal to amend The Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 and to insert Section 125 A in the Act thereby casting duty on the SGPC to ensure free-to-air live telecast of the Holy Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib. He said that this amendment has been made with the objective that the entire humanity is able to listen to and see the live telecast of Holy Gurbani free of cost.
According to a Punjab government release, Bhagwant Mann said that this move is aimed at ensuring that Holy Gurbani is not commercialized in any manner.
The Chief Minister said that this Act will be called the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Act, 2023 and will come into force on and with effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
Earlier in the day, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned Bhagwant Mann over his remarks that they will amend the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 for free telecast rights of ‘Gurbani’ from Golden Temple and said that the AAP government in the state is trying to politicise the issue and have no right to make such changes. (ANI)
