Around 1,429 Sikh yatris, who were in Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi festival, returned to India on Friday.
Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Muhammad Siddiqul Farooq, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) Pardhan Sardar Tara Singh and other officials saw them off at Lahore Railway Station.
Talking to the media, the ETPB chairman thanked prime minister, Punjab chief minister, railway minister, rangers and Punjab police on provision of the best possible security arrangements. He said that Pakistan wanted friendly relationship with India for permanent peace in the region and that the Kashmir issue should be resolved in accordance with the resolution of the United Nations (UN). He said that work for the renovation of Sikh gurdwaras was in progress. “We want to give maximum facilities to Sikh yatrees,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, group leader Sardar Bilwandar Singh said that Pakistan is their second home. He expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the ETPB for Sikh gurdwaras in Pakistan. He said that Pakistani people are loving and peaceful.
The Sikh yatris raised slogans: Muslim-Sikh friendship Zindabad and Pakistan Zindabad.
