Summary Jore Mela ceremony will be held on June 16 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib
(Web Desk) - Around 600 Sikh pilgrims from India arrived in Pakistan through the Wagah Border on Wednesday to participate in the annual Jore Mela commemorations marking the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev Ji.
The pilgrims were welcomed by Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora, officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), and members of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Speaking on the occasion, Arora said Pakistan's land conveyed a message of peace, harmony and interfaith coexistence. He noted that visas had been issued to all Sikh devotees who applied to attend the religious event.
ETPB Additional Secretary Nasir Mushtaq said the arrival of such a large number of pilgrims for the occasion was the first of its kind in 14 years. He added that extensive arrangements had been made for the visitors, including accommodation, transportation, medical services and security.
Authorities also implemented special measures to protect pilgrims from the ongoing heatwave, while CCTV surveillance systems were installed to ensure comprehensive security.
Leaders of the visiting Sikh delegation, Sardar Gurmeet Singh Bohar and Parmjeet Singh, described Pakistan as their second home and said the country's Sikh holy sites held immense spiritual significance for their community.
They expressed satisfaction with the hospitality extended by Pakistani authorities and voiced hope that peace, goodwill and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and India would continue to strengthen.
The main Jore Mela ceremony will be held on June 16 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib.
