476 Indian Sikhs visit Pakistan to attend 550th birth anniversary of Sikh religion’s founder

By Nasir Aijaz
AsiaN Correspondent

Islamabad: The Pakistan government has allowed around 500 Indian Sikhs to visit Nankana Sahib to participate the celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion.

A caravan of 476 Indian Sikh pilgrims crossed over to Pakistan through the Wagah border on Tuesday morning and later proceeded to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak, in Punjab province.  The celebrations will begin on Thursday, August 1.

According to an official statement of the government, 476 pilgrims have reached Nankana Sahib. The remaining 24 will not be visiting, the statement added.

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi had issued visas to the Sikh pilgrims who are part of the caravan on July 26. These visas were granted “over and above” the thousands of visas that Pakistan issues every year under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974, the Foreign Office said.