An initiative taken by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) will allow tour operators to be registered to arrange visits to shrines and holy sites of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan for devotees from across the world, according to a report in the local media.
ETPB Chairperson Siddique-ul-Farooq while talking to local media said, “The number of Sikh devotees coming to Pakistan increases every year, therefore, the decision to register tour operators is being taken to facilitate them.”
The operators will work on the lines of Hajj tour operators and details of different packages for the devotees will also be uploaded on an online website.
“Many devotees from across the world will be attracted towards guided tours and it will also help promote tourism,” an ETPB official, adding the modalities are being finalised and tour operators for the devotees will start functioning soon.
Panja Saheb, Rohri Saheb, Gurdwara Guru Arjun Singh, Samadhi of Mahraja Ranjit Singh among other shrines are situated in Pakistan.
“There are dozens of significant temples in Pakistan, majority of them exist in Sindh. The Katasraj temple is one of the holiest sites in Punjab for Hindus. It is dedicated to the Hindu lord, Shiva, and is believed to have existed since the days of Mahabharata,” said the official.
The Hinglaj Mata temple is another shrine located in Tharparkar, Sindh.
There are 82 religious places for Hindus in Punjab.