NANKANA SAHIB: Sikh Yatrees from Canada, who had undertaken a long journey of 21,000 kilometers by bus to attend the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, have arrived in Nankana Sahib.
They were warmly welcomed by Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar here.
The Canadian pilgrims had left for Pakistan in August, in the bus specially prepared for this journey by a Canadian family. The bus has big comfortable sofa-like seats, a dining table, a kitchen, a washroom, a cupboard, a fridge and a bed to facilitate the tourists.
‘Journey to Kartarpur’ is written on front of the bus. While, the complete itinerary of the bus is written on its both sides. It arrived in Pakistan after travelling through 20 countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey and Iran.
The bus caravan is led by Sardar Charan Singh, Amir Khan and Pakistan’s Counsel General (CG) in Toronto Syed Yawar Ali.
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The Sikh Yatrees performed traditional ‘Bhangra’ to express their happiness and joy over opening of Kartarpur Corridor.
Later, addressing a joint-press conference, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar terming Kartarpur Corridor a project of peace, said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s initiative proved that Pakistan wanted peace and stood by the minorities.
He said historic and exemplary arrangements had been finalized regarding opening of Kartarpur Corridor Project on November 9 and 550th birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak on November 12.
Chaudhry Sarwar said that he himself was monitoring all arrangements regarding birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak on daily basis, adding that after inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor project by Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 9, more than 5,000 Sikh pilgrims from India could daily reach here.
The governor Punjab said that Religious Tourism Committee led by him would restore religious places of Sikh Community and other minorities including Buddhism. He said the work on the project would start from next week.
To a question, Chaudhry Sarwar said the government had announced multiple visas for Sikh Yatrees, adding that Sikh Yatrees who wanted to visit Pakistan would be facilitated. He said Kartarpur Corridor Project had no link with the tensions between Pakistan and India, adding that Pakistanis stood with Kashmiris.
He said Pakistan had highlighted Kashmir issue at international level, expressing the hope that Kashmiris would definitely get freedom from Indian occupation.
Govenror Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said a reception would also be arranged for the Sikh pilgrims from across the globe and the neighbouring India on November 11, adding the registration process had also been started in this regard.
