Over 2,500 Sikh pilgrims (yatrees) will come to Pakistan through Wa-gah border crossing on April 12 to celebrate Vaisakhi
festival here. Additional Secretary Shrines Rana Shahid, Deputy Secretary Imran Gondal, Pardhan Sardar Ameer Singh, and other Sikh leaders and board offi-cials will receive the yatrees. Rana Shahid said that under the directions of Evacuee Trust Proper-ty Board (ETPB) Chairman Dr Amir Ahmad, all arrangements including security would be ensured.
He said that the main ceremony would be held at Gurdwara Punja Sahib at Hassan Abdal.
The Sikh yatrees will return to India on April 21. The Pakistan Railways has planned to operate nine special trains from April 12 to 17 to facilitate Sikh pilgrims coming from India for their religious rituals.According to a letter issued under the directions of Divisional Superintendent Lahore Rahat Mir-za on Thursday, special arrange-ments would be made for the guests at the railway stations, especially at Nankana Sahib and Hassan Abdal.
Arrangements for filtered cold wa-ter, clean washrooms, proper train announcements, comfortable sitting arrangements, a parcel system for additional luggage, and well-furnished passenger coaches will be made available for the Sikh yatrees.Railway officers will remain availa-ble and monitor the facilities dur-ing the visit of the Sikh yatrees, added the officials.
