LAHORE (MNN); The ten-day visit of more than 2,000 Sikh pilgrims from India ended on Thursday as they returned home after participating in the 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Pakistan.
At Wagah Border, Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq and Sikh Parbandhak Committee President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora bid farewell to the departing pilgrims, who expressed deep gratitude for the arrangements made by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan government.
The pilgrims said they were deeply moved by the warmth, affection, and peaceful environment they experienced in Pakistan, calling it “a second home.”
They praised the upkeep of Sikh gurdwaras and appreciated Pakistan’s dedication to preserving and respecting religious sites.
One pilgrim, Gurinder Kaur, described the ten-day journey as “golden days of spiritual calm,” while others said Pakistan’s hospitality reflected “the true essence of humanity.”
Speaking on the occasion, Nasir Mushtaq noted that Sikh pilgrims were able to perform their religious rites safely and without restrictions, adding that the Kartarpur Corridor remains a symbol of interfaith harmony and tolerance.
He reiterated that Pakistan actively promotes religious tourism and has never refused a visa to any Sikh pilgrim.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said that Sikhs around the world have deep affection for Pakistan and urged both countries to keep the Kartarpur Corridor open throughout the year to strengthen people-to-people contact and the message of peace.
