327th Baisakhi Mela celebrated at Panja Sahib

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Apr, 2026) The main ceremony of the 327th World Baisakhi Mela was held with traditional zeal and devotion

at Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib, where Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yusuf

attended as chief guest.

Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Ramesh Singh Arora, Chairman Evacuee Trust Property board (ETPB) Qamar-uz-Zaman and Secretary Usman Ali Khan also attended the ceremony, along with thousands of Sikh pilgrims, including over 2,200 from India.

Addressing the gathering, Ramesh Arora warmly welcomed the pilgrims, saying Pakistan was the first home for

Sikhs. He thanked the prime minister and chief minister Punjab for ensuring excellent arrangements and hospitality

for pilgrims.

He said that despite regional challenges, Pakistan’s issuance of visas to thousands of Sikh pilgrims reflected its commitment to peace and interfaith harmony.

Highlighting ongoing efforts, he said that more than 50 gurdwaras across Punjab were being restored and reopened for worship, adding that minorities in Pakistan enjoyed complete religious freedom.

The pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Pakistani government and leadership for the arrangements, particularly those supervised by Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq. The minister also appreciated the role of media in projecting a positive image of Pakistan at the international level.