Delegation meets SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami; SGPC honours visiting Sikh devotees

Amritsar, 27 October (H.S.): A 49-member delegation of Pakistani Sikhs, who arrived in India to visit historical Sikh shrines, paid obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar on Tuesday. The devotees expressed their deep faith and reverence for the Guru Sahib and offered prayers for spiritual peace and the welfare of humanity.

During their visit, members of the delegation also met Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami. The SGPC extended a warm welcome to the visiting devotees from Pakistan and honoured them as a mark of respect.

Speaking on the occasion, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that four Sikh jathas travel to Pakistan every year to pay obeisance at historical gurdwaras located there. Similarly, Sikhs residing in Pakistan also have a strong desire to visit historical Sikh shrines situated in India.

He said that this was the first time these Pakistani Sikhs had arrived in India as an organised delegation to visit the sacred Sikh shrines.

Advocate Dhami urged the governments of India and Pakistan to adopt a liberal approach towards granting visas to Sikh pilgrims from both countries.

He emphasised that devotees should be provided greater opportunities to visit historical gurdwaras across the border and fulfil their religious aspirations without unnecessary difficulties.

“The governments of both countries should generously grant visas to Sikh devotees so that they can visit historical gurdwaras according to their faith and devotion,” he said.

The SGPC President reiterated the importance of facilitating religious pilgrimages and strengthening spiritual connections among Sikh communities living on both sides of the international border.

The visiting Pakistani Sikh devotees expressed their happiness over the opportunity to pay obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and receive the blessings of Guru Sahib.

Among those present on the occasion were SGPC OSD Satbir Singh Dhami, Secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, Additional Secretary Bhagwant Singh Dhangeda, Personal Secretary Shahbaz Singh, Deputy Secretary Harbhajan Singh Vakta, General Manager Major Singh, Manager Rajinder Singh Ruby and other officials.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH