Sikh bodies seek 'visa on arrival' from Pak govt

Liberalised visa policy, upkeep of the Sikh shrines and resumption of train service between India and Pakistan were the main issues raised during the centenary of Shaheedi Saka (martyrdom massacre) Panja Sahib at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal in Pakistan. The samagam was jointly organised by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (PSGPC) and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Akal Takht’s officiating jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said post-Partition, many gurdhams (Sikh shrines), including Gurdwara Panja Sahib, went to Pakistan, towards which the Sikh community had deep reverence and devotion. He said that the Sikh shrines and institutions need to be strengthened.