Rs 50m programme to improve Gurdwaras in Punjab
Pakistan Times National News Desk

LAHORE: The federal government has undertaken a gigantic task of renovation, face-lifting and maintenance of Gurdwaras and Sikh holy places in Pakistan at a cost of Rs 50 million, Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Lt. Gen.(Retd) Zulfiqar Ali Khan said on Friday.

The federal government has allocated another Rs 50 million for the improvement of facilities to be provided to the visiting yatrees which also envisages construction of additional blocks and expansion of existing accommodation in the Sikh holy places throughout the country.

He said that members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee looking after the Gurdwaras in Pakistan have also been actively engaged for supervision of the work regarding improvement and maintenance of their holy places.

The visiting Sikh yatrees, who are arriving here in connection with the festival of birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Jee, during their 10-days stay in Pakistan will visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassanabdal, Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Baba Guru Nanak, Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Farooqabad, Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore and Gurdwara Rorri Sahib, Eminabad district Gujranwala and will perform their rituals including Arambah- Akhand Paat Sahib, Madah Ka Bhog and Bhog-Akand Paat Sahib at these places. They will return to India on Nov-19.

General Zulfiqar Ali Khan said ETPB has made elaborate arrangements for their proper transportation, boarding and lodging, provision of food and medical facilities. All yatrees will be served “Langar” in the Gurdwaras throughout their stay in Pakistan including at the time of arrival from India and departure for home.

Pakistan Railways has made special arrangements to carry yatrees to all major Gurdwara at concessional fare for Indian delegates exclusively. He said that Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has made special arrangements for providing round the clock free specialised medical facility to all Sikh yatrees.

Adequate security arrangements have also been made for protection to the visiting guests. All visiting yatrees will be housed properly within the Gurdwara premises where boarding and lodging facility is already available. The desirous yatrees will be taken to different important bazaars for shopping and visit to different places.●