Pakistan Government Makes Covid-19 -ve Report Must For Sikh Pilgrims

Ahead of the schedule visit of the Indian Sikh group of Pilgrims to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ,the founder of Sikhism,Pakistan government has made it mandatory for every member of the group to carry a Covid-19 negative report.

Pakistan Government Department monitoring functioning of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) —  held a preliminary coordination meeting of all the concerned agencies to start the preparations for the Guru’s birth celebrations.

Aamar Ahmad, chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) said “As par the government’s Covid-19 protocol, it has been decided to allow only the pilgrims carrying Covid-19 negative certificate, which should not be older than 48 hours,” 

“We are expecting 3,000 devotees from India and around 2,500 from other countries,” “ he said, adding that Indian pilgrims’ movement would be restricted within Nankana Sahib, birth place of Guru Nanak Dev

PSGPC president Satwant Singh said the pilgrims not carrying the certificate wouldn’t be allowed to enter Pakistan.

According to sources, the decision was taken in wake of a warning of a possible second wave of coronavirus hitting Pakistan. Satwant Singh said arrangements were being made in such a way so that pilgrims didn’t face any inconvenience.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/pak-makes-covid-19-ve-report-must-for-sikh-jatha/articleshow/78921481.cms

Dr. Gurdeep Kaur
Associate Professor
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College
University of Delhi