The federal government has undertaken a gigantic task of renovation, face-lifting and maintenance of Gurdwaras and Sikh holy places in Pakistan at a cost of Rs 50 million, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Lieutenant General Zulfiqar Ali Khan (Retd) said here on Friday.
Talking to APP, ETPB chairman said the federal government had allocated another Rs 50 million for the improvement of facilities to be provided to the visiting yatrees which also envisaged construction of additional blocks and expansion of existing accommodation in the Sikh holy places throughout the country.
He said members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee looking after the Gurdwaras in Pakistan had also been actively engaged for supervision of the work regarding improvement and maintenance of their holy places.
The visiting Sikh yatrees, who are arriving here in connection with the festival of birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Jee, during their 10-days stay in Pakistan will visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassanabdal, Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib - the birth place of Baba Guru Nanak. Besides, they will also visit Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Farooqabad, Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore and Gurdwara Rorri Sahib Eminabad district Gujranwala and will perform their rituals including Arambah - Akhand Paat Sahib, Madah Ka Bhog and Bhog - Akand Paat Sahib at these places.
They will return to India on November 19.
General Zulfiqar Ali Khan said ETPB had made elaborate arrangements for their proper transportation, boarding and lodging, provision of food and medical facilities.
He said all yatrees would be served 'Langar' in the Gurdwaras throughout their stay in Pakistan including at the time of arrival from India and departure for home.
He said Pakistan Railways had made special arrangements to carry yatrees to all major Gurdwaras at concessional fare for Indian delegates exclusively. He said Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had made special arrangements for providing round the clock free specialised medical facility to all Sikh yatrees.
Chairman said adequate security arrangements had also been made for protection to the visiting guests.
He said all visiting yatrees would be housed properly within the Gurdwara premises where boarding and lodging facility was already available.
He said desiring yatrees would be taken to different important bazaars for shopping and visit to different places.