HASSAN ABDAL: The three-day Baisakhi festival, commemorating the 327th birth anniversary of the Khalsa, reached its spiritual climax on Tuesday with the Bhog ceremony at the historic Gurdwara Panja Sahib. The event drew thousands of pilgrims, including a significant contingent of over 2,200 yatrees from India and others from across the globe, to participate in one of the most sacred dates on the Sikh calendar. Under the administration of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the festivities were marked by traditional religious fervor, devotional hymns, and a collective prayer for regional stability and prosperity.
Speaking at the concluding ceremony, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf reiterated the government’s strategic focus on expanding religious tourism. He assured the international community that Pakistan remains a safe and welcoming destination for all minorities, emphasizing that the preservation of holy sites is a national priority. The Minister highlighted that the successful hosting of such large-scale events, especially during a period of complex regional dynamics, reflects Islamabad’s unwavering commitment to interfaith harmony and the protection of religious freedoms.
Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, also addressed the pilgrims, noting that the government is currently restoring over 50 gurdwaras across Punjab. He expressed hope that the number of visiting pilgrims would continue to rise in the coming years as infrastructure and residential facilities are further modernized. As the pilgrims prepared for the next leg of their journey to other sacred sites, including Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur, they expressed deep gratitude for the hospitality and the meticulous security arrangements provided by the Pakistani authorities.
