Indian Sikh pilgrims perform religious rites at Panja Sahib as Jor Mela celebrations continue

ATTOCK, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jun, 2026) More than 500 Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan to participate in the 420th martyrdom anniversary celebrations of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and the annual Jor Mela offered religious rituals at the historic Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal on Friday.

The pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made for their stay, including accommodation, langar (community meals), cleanliness, medical services, transportation, and comprehensive security measures. They thanked the Government of Pakistan, the Evacuee Trust Property board (ETPB), and local authorities for facilitating their visit, stating that Sikh religious sites in Pakistan are now better maintained and more secure than ever before.

Additional Secretary Shrines Nasser Mushtaq said that, on the directives of ETPB Chairman Qamar-uz-Zaman, all possible facilities were being provided to ensure a comfortable pilgrimage. He noted that the visit serves as a positive example of Pakistan’s commitment to promoting religious tourism and interfaith harmony. According to the itinerary, the pilgrims arrived at Gurdwara Panja Sahib after visiting Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad and will proceed to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on June 14, followed by a visit to Gurdwara Rohri Sahib Eminabad on June 15.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

The main ceremony commemorating Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s martyrdom will be held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib Lahore on June 16, while the pilgrims are scheduled to return to India on June 19 after completing their 10-day visit.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Amir Khattak and Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi Region Babar Sarfraz Alpa visited Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib to review security arrangements for the annual Jor Mela celebrations. Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza and District Police Officer (DPO) Attock Sardar Mavarhan Khan, they inspected entry and exit points, crowd management measures, and overall law and order arrangements. Speaking on the occasion, RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa reaffirmed the police department’s commitment to ensuring the safety of minority communities and maintaining a peaceful environment, adding that comprehensive security measures had been put in place to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the religious event.

APP/rhn/378