About 100 Indian Sikh pilgrims have arrived in Pakistan to participate in a religious function to be held in Nankana Sahib despite strained relations between the two countries after the Mumbai attacks.
The pilgrims yesterday visited Gurdwara Punja Sahib at Hasan Abdal, 48 km from the garrison city of Rawalpindi. They will travel to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak, to join the "Saka Nankana Sahib anniversary" on February 21.
Evacuee Property Trust Board Deputy Administrator (Shrines) Faraz Abbas told reporters that all necessary arrangements have been made to provide facilities to the Sikh 'yatris' so that they can perform their religious rituals without facing any problems.
Strict security measures have also been put in place by law enforcement agencies to avert any untoward incident in areas being visited by the Sikh pilgrims.
The Sikh pilgrims said such people-to-people contacts could ease tensions and strengthen relations between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan based terror groups had orchestrated attacks in Mumbai on November 26 in which at least 183 people were killed, leading to strained relations between the two countries.
{{/usCountry}}Pakistan based terror groups had orchestrated attacks in Mumbai on November 26 in which at least 183 people were killed, leading to strained relations between the two countries.
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