Maryam Nawaz - CM of Punjab Province in Pakistan
The Punjab government in Pakistan, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, will provide PKR 10,000 to 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families in the province in celebration of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary and Diwali, according to news agency PTI. A spokesperson for the Punjab government announced on Wednesday that the chief minister had directed officials to promptly begin the distribution of festival cards to “our Hindu and Sikh brothers.”
Starting this year, these 2,200 families will receive financial assistance annually as part of the festival card program.
The Punjab government in Pakistan will provide a ‘festival card’ to 2,200 Sikh and Hindu families in the province, granting PKR 10,000 (approximately INR 3,000) to help them celebrate Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary and Diwali. Officials informed PTI that special arrangements are being made for foreign pilgrims expected to visit next month for Guru Nanak Dev’s 555th birth anniversary.
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The Punjab cabinet has approved the ‘festival card’ initiative, allowing these families to receive financial assistance for their religious celebrations. Diwali is scheduled to be observed from October 31 to November 2 this year, while Guru Nanak Jayanti will be celebrated on November 15.
India and Pakistan announced on Tuesday that they have agreed to extend their arrangement regarding the Kartarpur Corridor, which allows Indian nationals visa-free access to the gurdwara where Guru Nanak spent his final years. Additionally, a new visa automation system has been introduced to simplify the visa process for foreign pilgrims. Saifullah Khokhar, additional secretary for Shrines at the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), stated that over 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India and 1,000 from other countries are expected to visit Pakistan next month for Guru Nanak Dev’s 555th birth anniversary.
According to the external affairs ministry, India has once again requested Pakistan to waive the $20 service fee charged to Indian pilgrims using the Kartarpur Corridor. Special transport arrangements, along with accommodation and food services, are being organized for Sikh pilgrims. To ensure safety during the event, 100 specially trained security guards will be deployed. “All arrangements will be closely monitored to ensure no effort is spared in the hospitality of the pilgrims,” Khokhar stated, adding that Indian pilgrims are expected to enter Pakistan via the Wagah border on November 14. Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary will be celebrated at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib on November 15.
Punjab’s first Sikh minister, Ramesh Singh Arora, earlier said, “The pilgrims will be provided with the best accommodation, transportation, and food services,” and emphasized that this year’s ‘Prakash Purb’ will be celebrated enthusiastically.
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