Indian Sikhs arrive in Pakistan for visit to Nankana Sahib

Islamabad, Feb 18 (PTI) 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.