Amritsar, October 28 -A special jatha of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today departed for Pakistan from Amritsar, to participate in the 100 year centenary congregation of Shaheedi Saka (martyrdom massacre) Panja Sahib to be held on October 30.
Among others, Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh, former SGPC president Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal, head granthi of Akal Takht Sahib Giani Malkit Singh, crossed over to Pakistan to attend the congregations to be held at Gurdwara Panja Sahib.
On reaching Pakistan, on the other side at Wagah border, Pakistan Government accorded warm welcome to the Sikh Jatha as special program was organised to receive the Sikh pilgrims from India besides heavy security arrangements for them.
Speaking at the departure of jatha, Bhai Gobind Singh Longowal said that the SGPC is jointly organising centenary congregations related to Shaheedi Saka with Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) on October 29 and 30. He said a special SGPC jatha is going to participate in the centenary congregations.
“The centenary events and congregation of Saka Panja Sahib holds great importance, therefore, the governments should grant visas to pilgrims with open heart. Rejecting visas to pilgrim members of special jatha on this occasion is not good”, said Longowal.
Notably, the SGPC had sent passports of 157 pilgrims for visa approval, of which, 117 got the visas.
Giving information about the jatha, SGPC secretary Partap Singh said that an advance delegation led by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami had visited Pakistan in the recent past, which had planned the organisation of congregations and programs in coordination with PSGPC. Under the same plan, the special jatha today left for Gurdwara Panja Sahib, which will attend the centenary congregations.
Apart from visiting Gurdwara Panja Sahib, this jatha will also pay obeisance at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Dehra Sahib, Lahore and return to India on November, said SGPC official.
