11/06/2026
A contingent of Sikh pilgrims from India arrived at the Wagah Border on Wednesday to pay homage to Guru Arjun Dev Ji on the occasion of Jore Mela, marking the Guru's death anniversary. Punjab Minister for Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Additional Secretary (Shrines) Nasir Mushtaq, and officials from the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee extended a warm welcome to the visiting pilgrims. In his address, Arora emphasized that Pakistan's soil embodies the values of peace, love, and harmony, adding that the government had expedited visa issuance for all Sikh pilgrims applying to attend the commemorative events. Nasir Mushtaq noted that it had been 14 years since such a large number of Sikh pilgrims had visited Pakistan for this occasion, highlighting that the event was being observed with great unity and devotion. He further elaborated on the comprehensive arrangements made under the guidance of ETPB Chairman Qamaruz Zaman, which included medical facilities, stringent security measures, and quality transportation services. Special measures were also taken to shield pilgrims from the intense summer heat, with CCTV cameras installed to ensure foolproof security. The Indian Sikh delegation leaders, Sardar Gurmeet Singh Bohar and Parmjeet Singh, expressed their deep reverence for Pakistan's Sikh religious sites, describing the country as their second home. They conveyed that the spiritual peace they experienced upon arriving in Pakistan was indescribable and expressed hope for continued love, goodwill, and peace between the peoples of both nations. The main ceremony is scheduled to take place at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 16.