• By Nidhi Giri
  • Wed, 23 Oct 2024 06:38 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Pakistan News: Around 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families in the Punjab province will be given a 'festival card' under which PKR 10,000 (about INR 3,000) will be given to them on the occasion of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary and Diwali by Pakistan’s Punjab government. Starting this year, the money under the festival card will be given to these 2,200 families each year.

Special arrangements are in place for foreign pilgrims expected to arrive next month to celebrate the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, officials said, as quoted by news agency PTI.

A Punjab government spokesperson told PTI on Wednesday that the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities concerned to immediately start the process of issuing the festival card to “our Hindu and Sikh brothers.”

READ MORE: Agra: IndiGo Changes Flight Timings To Mumbai, Bengaluru And Hyderabad Starting October 27; Check List

Meanwhile, a visa automation system has been introduced to facilitate the issuance of visas for foreign pilgrims, including over 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India and 1,000 from other countries, expected to arrive here next month to celebrate the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, said Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) additional secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar.

In addition to providing all other necessary facilities, special transport arrangements are being made for the Sikh pilgrims. Furthermore, 100 security guards of the Board are undergoing special training to ensure security during the event.

“All arrangements will be closely monitored to ensure that no effort is spared in the hospitality of the pilgrims,” Khokhar said and added Sikh pilgrims from India are expected to arrive in Pakistan via the Wagah border on November 14.

READ MORE: ‘Cannot Blindly Receive…’: FM Sitharaman As India Decides To Retain Investment Curbs On Border Nations

The main ceremony of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary will be held at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib on November 15.

Punjab's first Sikh minister Ramesh Singh Arora said earlier this year, the 'Prakash Purb' (celebration of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary) would be observed with great enthusiasm.

“The pilgrims will be provided with the best accommodation, transportation, and food services,” he said.

(With Agency Inputs)