LAHORE (Pakistan), Nov 14 — Even as the SGPC has imposed a ban on jathas to Pakistan in protest against the formation of the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PGPC), Gen Parvez Musharraf, Chief Executive, Government of Pakistan, has asked Sikh pilgrims to visit the gurdwaras in Pakistan “at will”.

General Musharraf, in a message read out at a civic reception in honour of Sikh pilgrims hosted by citizens of Lahore and the Municipal Corporation at Gulistan-e-Fatima, Bagh-e-Jinha, here today, stated that the Government of Pakistan wanted the Sikhs to visit their holy shrines in Pakistan round the year. Instructions had been issued to the Airlines, hotels, transport services to give concessions to the visiting pilgrims, the message said.

The message was read out by Lieut-Gen (Retd) Javed Nasir, Chairman, PGPC.

General Musharraf also stated that more Sikhs would be given visas so that they could attend their religious functions without any hurdle. The Chief Executive claimed that the PGPC had been formed for renovation of Gurdwaras.

Mr Parmjit Singh Sarna speaking on the occasion, asked the Government of Pakistan to relax visa restrictions so that more Sikhs could pay obeisance at the holy shrines.

The Governor of Punjab presented a model of Minar-e-Pakistan to Prof Darshan Singh, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht. The Law Minister, Mr Khalid Ranjha, gave a memento to Mr Harpal Singh Bhullar, leader, Bhai Mardana Society, Ferozepore, who has brought a jatha of 700 Sikhs. Mr Sham Singh, Co-Chairman, PGPC, was also honoured.

Welcoming the guests, Brig Yasoob Dogar claimed that the Pakistan Government had taken all steps to give facilities to minorities. He said the Government of Pakistan had spent Rs 100 crore on the renovation of the Sikh shrines.