More than 2200 Sikh pilgrims from India returned to their homeland after attending Baisakhi festival here on Sunday.
Sikh pilgrims reached Wagah border in special buses where additional immigration counters, medical camps, currency exchange and other facilities were provided to them.
Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, Ramesh Singh Arora while talking to the media, said that Sikh pilgrims had come to Pakistan from different parts of India, and they had been served since the reception till today.
He said, today, the pilgrims were going back and there were tears of love in their eyes. He said that Pakistan was trying to establish peace around the world and its efforts were being praised all over the world. “We have issued 2840 visas to Sikh pilgrims, while the Indian government had stopped around 600 Sikh pilgrims from coming”, he added.
On the occasion, the Sikh pilgrims thanked Pakistan and said that they were grateful for the love and affection they received from Pakistan. All the arrangements, including religious services and security, were commendable, they added.
President Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Ramesh Singh Arora, Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board Qamar-uz-Zaman, Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq were also present.