Review of Arrangements for Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Birth Anniversary

Lahore, November 1 (Ali Imran Chattha Bureau Chief Nazarana Times)
 

Provincial ministers, accompanied by Punjab Home Secretary Dr. Ahmed Javed Qazi, Commissioner Lahore Division Maryam Khan, and RPO Sheikhupura Athar Ismail, visited Nankana Sahib to review the arrangements for the upcoming celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary.
The meeting, chaired by Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique and Minister for Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, was attended by administrative officers, members of the peace committee, and Sikh community leaders.
Deputy Commissioner Nankana Sahib Muhammad Tasleem Akhtar Rao and DPO Faraz Ahmed briefed the meeting on the preparations, stating that all arrangements have been completed for the celebrations to be held from November 3 to 6.
More than 5,000 officers and personnel will be deployed during the festivities, with CCTV surveillance and three control rooms established for monitoring. The officials said the city has been cleaned, with arrangements for quality food, accommodation, and facilitation desks, including medical facilities, at the gurdwaras.
According to the briefing, mock exercises have already been conducted, while gurdwaras are being cleaned with rose water. Nankana Sahib will remain free of gas and electricity load-shedding, and all staff leave has been cancelled to ensure smooth execution of the event.
Minister Ramesh Singh Arora announced that the celebrations will begin with the Akhand Paath ceremony, while the main event will take place on November 5 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, featuring the traditional Nagar Kirtan procession.
He added that 2,100 Sikh pilgrims from India will arrive in Pakistan through the Wagah Border to participate, while a total of 30,000 pilgrims are expected in Nankana Sahib.
Chief Minister Punjab has taken a personal interest in arrangements for minority events, Arora said, emphasizing the need to provide essential commodities to pilgrims at fixed prices and to ensure smooth traffic flow.
 Salman Rafique said that the review visit was conducted under the directives of the Chief Minister, adding that Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji is revered by people of all religions and sects. He noted that the purpose of visiting Nankana Sahib was to express solidarity with the Sikh community.
Rafique instructed officials to ensure ample food supplies and maintain the supply chain, increase facilitation counters at gurdwaras, and guarantee the safety and comfort of all pilgrims. He also directed that special hospital wards for Sikh pilgrims be established in Lahore and Faisalabad.
The provincial ministers commended the district administration for making excellent arrangements for the upcoming celebrations.