CHANDIGARH: In a significant development, Union Government of India has directed Sikh pilgrims who are scheduled to visit historic gurdwaras in Pakistan on the occasion of death anniversary of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, not to accept special hospitality of Pakistanis.
As per a news published by Punjabi daily ‘Ajit’, the Union Government has written a letter to chief secretaries of Punjab and other concerned states, in which the states have been asked to ensure that members of Sikh jatha visiting Pakistan, do not receive any kind of special hospitality. If they do so, they will be put on black list, reads the news.
Moreover, the Centre has also said that the pilgrims should be asked to avoid the personnel of Pakistani intelligence agencies and officials of the administration. The Punjab government has sent a copy of these directions to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) which sends the largest group of pilgrims on four special occasions in a year.
As per source, SGPC is sending a group of 300 pilgrims to Pakistan. The Sikh jatha will leave for Pakistan on June 21. Death anniversary will be observed at Lahore. Besides, the jatha will pay obeisance at various historic gurdwaras including Nankana Sahib.
