Punjab Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar presided over a Religious Tourism and Heritage committee meeting, attended by Federal Interior Minister Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah, provincial ministers and relevant authorities.
Decision was made to finalise process of issuance of visas for Sikh pilgrims from India and around the world to attend 550th birthday celebration of Baba Guru Nanak in Nankana Sahib before 30th September. Arrangement for “International Sikh Convention” has been finalized which is to be held at Governor House on 31st August. Strategy and plan of action for Kartarpur Corridor Project and 550th birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak’s birthday has been decided in the meeting. Special shuttle service to be launched from railway station to birthplace “Janam Ashtan” for the event of 550th birthday celebration of Baba Guru Nanak in Nankana Sahib, whereas directions issued to ensure all necessary arrangements for timely completion of Kartarpur Corridor Project.
According to details on Wednesday, a meeting which was presided by Governor Punjab Ch Muhammad Sarwar at Governor House was attended by Federal Interior Minister Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah, provincial minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, Peer Syed Saeed ul Hassan, provincial minister for minorities Ejaz Alam , MPA Sardar Mahindar Pal Singh, Principal secretary to Governor Punjab Babar Hayat Tarar, Chairman TEVTA Ali Salman , Chairman Evacuee Trust board, Secretary Finance, DG Wall city Kamran Lashari, DC Nankana Sahib and concerned officers of relevant departments. Attendees of the meeting were briefed about the International Sikh Convention which is to take place at Governor House on 31st August, accommodation, security arrangements, food and other arrangements for Sikh Pilgrims who are to arrive to participate in Baba Guru Nanak 550th birthday celebrations in Nankana Sahib and development works progress on Kartarpur Corridor Project.
After the meeting, while expressing his views with media Governor Punjab Ch Muhammad Sarwar said that visa process for Sikh Pilgrims who willing to attend the 550th birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak will start from 1st of September and will be completed by 30th September and to provide Sikh pilgrims with accommodations, foolproof security, and other facilities a “Tent City” in Nankana Sahib is to be established and on which work will be initiated from the start of September. Governor Punjab Ch Muhammad Sarwar has said that for completion of the road from Sucha Souda to Nanka Sahib, funds have been approved by the Punjab government and work will begin on it very soon.
Regarding International Sikh convention Governor Punjab Ch Muhammad Sarwar said that huge number of Sikh pilgrims will arrive from UK, USA, and other countries to attend the convention at Governor House and in the convention suggestions which will be pitched by Sikh pilgrims regarding Kartarpur Corridor Project and Birthday Celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak, government will consider all the suggestions and will implement them. Sikh pilgrims who are visiting Pakistan will be facilitated in every way including the issuance of the visa and for that Punjab government and the federal government is working with coordination.
He said regarding the Kartarpur corridor it has been decided that regardless of India’s willingness to work on it or not, Pakistan will complete and formally inaugurate the Kartarpur Project by November and we will not compromise on rights of minorities who are residing in Pakistan and Pakistan is a safe country for minorities.
Interior Minister Brigadier (r) Ijaz Shah during the session expressed that Imran Khan’s Kartarpur Corridor Project is a historical project and through this project, we have won hearts of Sikhs residing all over the world. Promotion of tourism at religious places is included in government priorities and we will try our best that such arrangements are made at religious places which will facilitate pilgrims visiting them and which will promote a softer image of Pakistan to the outside world.
