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Crossing hurdles, jatha enters Pak
Harbans Singh Virdi
Tribune News Service

Lahore, June 14
Crossing one hurdle after another, Sikh pilgrims numbering about 150 finally crossed over into Pakistan via the Wagah check-post here this afternoon.

Formalities apart, both the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home were responsible for causing unnecessary delay. There were fears expressed in some quarters that the jatha may not even make it to Lahore. But happily, that was not to be.

At last on the morning of June 14, the pilgrims led by Mr S.S. Sabharwal, a member of the SGPC, crossed into Pakistan to a warm welcome. To greet them was not only Mr Sham Singh, co-chairman of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, some of the top Pakistan officials were also present. They said they had been waiting for the jatha for the past two days. Pakistan had specially deputed Additional Secretary, Shrines, Hazhar-ul-Hassan and Deputy Administrator Shrines Syed Farraz Abbas, who left no stone unturned in making the jatha comfortable and its entry into Pakistan smooth and without any hassles.

Though the process of entering Pakistan had begun as early as 8 a.m., after completing the formalities the pilgrims were able to cross into Pakistan only around 3 p.m.

As a result, the SGPC personnel who normally start the “Akhand Path” at Dera Sahib Gurdwara, Lahore, failed to perform the duty. In their place, local priests along with those from Nankana Sahib and Sindh started the “Akhand Path”. The “bhog” of “Akhand Path” will be performed on June 16, the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev, Fifth Guru of the Sikhs.

Notwithstanding the acute summer heat, Sikhs from all parts of Pakistan have started reaching here.

According to Mr Balwant Singh Patti, Deputy leader of the Jatha, Sikh pilgrims will visit Gurdwara Roari Sahib tomorrow in accordance with the revised schedule of the programme.

The jatha will return to Dera Sahib, Lahore in the evening.

The “Bhog” of Akhand Path” on June 16 will mark the end of the Lahore schedule of events. On June 17, the jatha visit Panja Sahib Gurdwara and two days later, rush to Nankana Sahib in the last phase of the journey. After spending three days at the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev the jatha will finally head for the Wagah check-post on June 22, making it a nine-day affair, instead of the usual 10-day one with the first day having been sacrificed at the altar of bureaucracy.