By Ravinder Singh Robin Amritsar 13 September : In the course of its efforts to organise religious gatherings in Pakistan dedicated to 100 years of Saka (massacre) Sri Panja Sahib and a specific group of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Tuesday, met the acting high commissioner of Pakistan in Delhi and demanded that he issue the highest amount of visas for Sikh pilgrims who wish to attend various centenary celebrations on this day.
The delegation met with the acting high commissioner of Pakistan Aftab Hasan Khan.The delegation handed him a letter written by the SGPC President.
Informing the public about the significance of Saka Sri Panja Sahib The SGPC delegation informed the High Commission that the centenary of this Saka is being commemorated by the SGPC on a massive scale on the 30th of October.
It was explained that, in line with the sentiments of the Sangat (community) as well as the sentiments of the Sangat (community), the SGPC is planning to hold a large gatherings at the site that the massacre occurred in 1922 to pay tributes to the victims.
The sentiment of Sangat was communicated by the High Commission that the community generally wants to be part in these gatherings that celebrate the historic day, and therefore, visas should be given to Sikh pilgrims with an open mind.
The delegation also requested early the permission of an advance group of SGPC to tour Pakistan to ensure that all arrangements and preparations of centenary celebrations could be completed in time in coordination with Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
The leaders of the delegation Karnail Singh Panjoli, and Rajinder Singh Mehta both said that the High Commission of Pakistan has been asked to grant the maximum number of visas to Sikh pilgrims, even during routine times, too.
They also said that while specific jathas (groups) of pilgrims visit Sikh shrines in Pakistan each year for four distinct occasions, including Gurpurb of Guru Nanak Dev, however, the Sangat wants to visit shrines during other times.The Sangat hopes that they will not encounter any difficulties in receiving visas to visit Gurdwara Sahibs, and they can go to Sikh shrines any time they like through visas.
Panjoli and Mehta said that the acting Pakistan high commissioner had assured that the SGPC delegation that the maximum number of visas will be issued to pilgrims on the historic anniversary of centenary day.To which the Sikh bodies must make lists and send them as soon as possible.
Panjoli stated that the lists of Sikh pilgrims of Punjab and Haryana states will be developed by the SGPC as well as Sarna brothers of Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi will be working on the list of Delhi pilgrims.
In the course of the meeting, in the presence of SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami the delegation expressed condolences regarding the current circumstances in Pakistan caused by flooding and promised that if the Pakistan government grants permission to SGPC to support the organization, all assistance will be offered following discussions in the meeting of the executive committee.
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