SRI NANKANA SAHIB, West Punjab, Pakistan—Pakistan Government doesn’t want to take any chances for the upcoming celebrations at Nankana Sahib to mark the 548th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Speaking with Sikh24 about such arrangements, Lahore residents Anjum Gill and Babar Jalandhari informed that the District authorities of Sri Nankana Sahib have mandated the wearing of ID cards for all Sikhs with trimmed hairs and non-Sikhs including Hindus of Sindh. They added that the move has come to ensure security of pilgrims.
The duo further informed that all the Muslim citizens of Pakistan have been also barred from entering the Sikh shrines till November 10 to ensure smooth pilgrimage to all the Sikh pilgrims.
Sikh24 has learnt that the Pakistan authorities have made strong security arrangements this year to let near about 4,000 International pilgrims pay obeisance at historic Sikh shrines without any problem. More than 1,500 security guards have been deployed this year including female commandos in large count.
Beside it, the nearby shopkeepers of Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Panja Sahib (Lahore) have been also directed to keep their shops shut during stay of Sikh pilgrims there. Also, the Sikh pilgrims have been also restricted to remain within the shrine and will not be permitted to move freely in market.
Sikh Sewa Society International has also announced to organize a Blood Donation Camp at Sri Nankana Sahib from November 2 to November 4 in commemoration of the 548th birth anniversary of first Sikh master Guru Nanak Dev Ji.