AMRITSAR – For the second year in a row, the Pakistan High Commission has denied visas to Sikh pilgrims who were to visit the neighbouring country from May 17 to May 26 to observe the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev.
A Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee spokesperson said the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev was being observed on May 25 as per the amended Nanankshahi calendar and the SGPC had decided to send a jatha to Pakistan to participate in the event.
The SGPC had forwarded a list of 320 pilgrims to the Centre, seeking visa for them. He said the Union Government had sent the list to the Pakistan High Commission after giving the necessary clearance.
However, when the SGPC approached the High Commission for visas, the Sikh body was told that they could not be granted the same as the event was not being observed in Pakistan during this period (May 17-26).
As per reports, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is observing the event as per the original Nanakshahi Calendar on June 16. Last year too the Pakistan embassy had denied visa to a 340-member Sikh jatha due to the same reason.
