Punjab: SGPC Cancels Sikh Pilgrims Jatha To Pakistan Amidst Tensions

Chandigarh: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Tuesday announced that it would not send Sikh pilgrims' group to Pakistan this year on the occasion of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary on June 30 in the wake of restrictions imposed by India amid tension with the neighbouring country.

For record, India has debarred its citizens from going to Pakistan through Attari-Wagah border checkpost after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, and subsequent Op Sindoor conducted by Indian armed forces on May 7.

According to media reports, the SGPC secretary Partap Singh said that the devotees can contact the pilgrimage department of the SGPC for more details.

It may be recalled that the SGPC sends a group of pilgrims for religious visits every year – and one of these pilgrimages is for Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary which is observed in Pakistan.

This year, though, the SGPC sent a batch of passports of about 249 applicants to Delhi for clearance to go to Pakistan, but later decided not to send the group. According to information, these passports would be returned after June 20 from the SGPC travel department after that June 20.

It may be recalled that Maharaja Ranjit Singh, popularly known as "sher-e-Punjab’’ was the first king of the Sikh empire in 19^th century. He was born in Gujranwala (now in Pakistan) and died in Lahore (now in Pakistan); he ruled Punjab for over 40 years and fought against Mughals and conquered Lahore.