Baisakhi pilgrims head back to India

Indian Sikh pilgrims who visited Pakistan to attend the Baisakhi festival returned to India via the Wagah Border on Sunday after completing their 10-day stay, with emotional scenes witnessed at the time of departure. Officials said a total of 2,238 pilgrims reached the border in special buses. Arrangements including additional immigration counters, medical camps, currency exchange and other facilities were provided to facilitate their return. Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board Qamar-uz-Zaman, Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq and other officials saw off the pilgrims at the border. Group leader Sardar Harjeet Singh said the visit to Pakistan was memorable and that the pilgrims were returning with a message of peace and brotherhood. A female pilgrim, Bibi Amarjeet Kaur, said she had arrived with negative perceptions but experienced respect and hospitality during her stay. Another pilgrim, Sardar Surjeet Singh, said Pakistan had set a positive example in its treatment of minorities. Pilgrims Sardar Gurpreet Singh and Bibi Manpreet Kaur said they were provided with accommodation, transport, security and medical facilities. They added that despite regional tensions, they were able to perform their religious rituals freely in a peaceful environment. Several pilgrims became emotional at departure, saying they would share the goodwill they experienced in Pakistan with others, particularly in India. Chairman ETPB Qamar-uz-Zaman said serving minorities was a matter of pride and that Pakistan was a practical example of interfaith harmony where all religions enjoyed freedom. He said positive feedback from pilgrims would help project a soft image of the country. The pilgrims departed with smiles and fond memories, expressing hope to return in June to attend the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.