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Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan marks Ranjit Singh anniversary amid absence of Indian Sikh pilgrims
Listen to article Pakistan marked on Saturday the 186th death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh with solemn ceremonies at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, but the absence of Indian Sikh pilgrims cast a shadow over the commemorations. Indian authorities denied permission for a delegation of Sikh devotees to travel to Pakistan despite Islamabad's official invitation, according to Pakistani officials. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh leaders and rights advocates, who called it discriminatory and a violation of religious freedom. Dr Sajid Mehmood Chauhan, Chairperson of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), addressed the gathering and paid tribute to Ranjit Singh's legacy of religious tolerance. 'Ranjit Singh built not just a Sikh state, but one rooted in respect for all faiths,' Chauhan said. 'Blocking Sikhs from visiting his mausoleum is a grave injustice.' Read: Global Sikh community thanked for solidarity A large number of Pakistani Sikh devotees gathered at Ranjit Singh's samadhi (mausoleum) to offer prayers and remember the founder of the Sikh Empire, widely revered for promoting pluralism. Chauhan said Pakistan had restored key Sikh sites including Nankana Sahib, Panja Sahib and Dera Sahib. He also noted the facilities provided to pilgrims, including accommodation, healthcare, langar, and security. Additional Secretary Shrines, Saifullah Khokhar, said the event was a symbol of interfaith peace and cultural preservation. 'Pilgrims from around the world go back with respect and love for Pakistan's hospitality,' he said. Sardar Bishan Singh, former head of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, voiced sorrow over India's decision. 'It's heartbreaking for the global Sikh community,' he said. 'In contrast, minorities in Pakistan feel protected.' Punjab's Minister for Minorities and current Committee President, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, did not attend due to personal reasons. The event concluded with Sikh prayers, highlighting Pakistan's continued efforts to protect religious heritage despite regional tensions.
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab minrity minister, Sikh leaders condemn Indian drone strike on Nankana Sahib
Indian Drone Strike on Nankana Sahib Condemned as Violation of Religious Freedom and International Law Photo: FILE Listen to article In an emergency press conference held at the Lahore Press Club, Punjab's Minister for Minority Affairs and Chairman of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, strongly condemned an alleged Indian drone strike on the sacred site of Nankana Sahib. Terming it a blatant violation of international law, religious freedom, and human rights, Arora demanded immediate international attention to what he described as a provocative act. The press conference was attended by Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari and prominent Sikh figures including Sardar Bishan Singh, Satwant Kaur, Sardar Jaskaran Singh, and Kalyan Singh Kalyan. Arora accused India of deliberately targeting mosques, religious sites, and minority communities as part of a broader conspiracy to malign Pakistan's peaceful image on the global stage. He dismissed the recent Pahalgam incident as a "fabricated and orchestrated drama" aimed at misleading the international community by falsely implicating Pakistan. Highlighting the longstanding bond between Pakistan and the Sikh community, Arora said that Sikh pilgrims from around the world who visited Pakistan during the recent Baisakhi festival had praised the country's hospitality and religious tolerance. He further stated that India was attempting to incite hatred between Muslim and Sikh communities and engaging in psychological warfare against Pakistan. He categorically rejected Indian allegations regarding attacks on Amritsar and the Golden Temple, calling them baseless and misleading. 'Pakistan holds deep respect for the religious sentiments of its Sikh brothers and would never consider such actions,' Arora affirmed. The minister reiterated that religious minorities in Pakistan enjoy complete freedom of worship, and that the state treats all faiths and communities with equal dignity and respect. He urged the United Nations and international human rights organizations to take urgent notice of India's aggression and its campaign of hate against minorities. Speaking at the event, Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari criticized the Indian media for spreading venom and reaffirmed the Pakistani media's support for the state and armed forces. He added that the doors of the Lahore Press Club remain open to all religious minorities, especially the Sikh community. Sikh leaders present at the conference echoed Arora's concerns and asserted that Pakistan is a peaceful nation committed to the protection of minorities and interfaith harmony. They pledged full support to the Pakistani armed forces and warned that any act of Indian aggression would be met with a strong response.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
50 Pakistan nationals with NORI visa allowed to cross over to India
A total of 50 Pakistani nationals, who hold the NORI (No Obligation to Return to India) visa, crossed over to India through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Attari border on Monday. Until recently, Pakistan authorities were not permitting NORI visa holders to travel to India, citing their Pakistani passports. However, following discussions, an exception has been made, officials said. In total, 240 people from Pakistan, including the 50 NORI visa holders, entered India. Meanwhile, 140 others from India returned to Pakistan via Attari. A NORI visa is issued by India to Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals who have close relatives holding Indian citizenship. They include men and women who are married to Indian nationals. While revoking all visas issued to the nationals of the neighbouring country following the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed on April 22, India had made an exemption for NORI visa holders, allowing them to cross over to Pakistan. There, however, was no clarity on the issue from Pakistan side. Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Ramesh Singh Arora, who is also a Member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, said he raised the issue with the Pakistan government. Speaking to The Indian Express, Arora said, 'I was approached by three Sikh families whose members holding NORI visas wanted to return to India.' The recent suspension of normal cross-border movement had caused disruptions for families with members holding different nationalities. Several families, where one spouse holds an Indian passport and the other a Pakistani passport, have suddenly been separated. Officials said the current easing of rules for NORI visa holders is a step toward addressing the hardship faced by such families.
