Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdul, Pakistan
Panja Sahib (KP) – Sikh Sangat from all around the world gathered at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in large numbers to celebration the important day of Vaisakhi. The celebrations were held with full fervor with cooperation of the Pakistan Sangat and the local Government.
Following the bhog of Akhand Path Sahib, kirtan was performed by local kirtanis from Pakistan. Kirtanis arrived at the function from places such as Balochistan, Peshawar and Lahore. In addition, several katha vachaks and kirtanis were also sent to Pakistan by the Parbhandak Committees in Punjab .
Over 4,000 Sikhs were estimated as having arrived from Indian Punjab, while more than 8,000 were natives of Pakistan. In addition, a large number of Sangat had crossed the border from Afghanistan while over 500 had come from countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America .
At a meeting with a Sikh delegation, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani held that Pakistan believed in minority rights for different communities and his Government will be working hard to safeguard human rights of Pakistani Sikhs. Gillani further appreciated the commitments of Pakistani Sikhs to provide their country with valuable contributions in all fields. He also assured that Pakistan will be enhancing its efforts to provide Sikh pilgrims with better facilities.
Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Ahsan Iqbal, while addressing sangat numbering over 10,000, announced very important developments in the country. Ahsan Iqbal's adress is being considered very crucial to Sikh-Muslim relations. In response to the Sikh demand of having open access to Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib, Ahsan Iqbal held that the Pakistan Government is willing to allow Sikh Sangat to pay obeisance at the historical Gurdwara Sahib, but it has to await an official request from the Indian Government.
Iqbal further announced that an International University will be setup at Panja Sahib in efforts to promote Sikh-Muslim brotherhood. He also announced that the Pakistan Government is devoted to preserving the ancient and historic monuments of the Sikh religion throughout the country.
While talking to the press, Sikh leaders from Eastern Punjab appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Government in providing excellent accommodations and facilities for the yatris. Furthermore, they thanked the Pakistan Government for amending the Sikh Marriage Act. The Sikh Marriage Act was amended recently in an effort to separate registration of Sikh marriages from Hindus--something that has still not been done in Hindustan (India). The delegation also included Sikh leadership from California and Vancouver.
The delegation members also thanked the prime minister for announcing amendments to the Sikh Marriage Act, maintaining religious places and extending the best facilities to Sikh pilgrims. They said they were quite satisfied with the arrangements made by the Pakistani government at religious places to facilitate the Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan.
