In a gesture of amity, the Pakistan Government has decided to declare Panja Sahib - one of the holiest Sikh shrines located in Pakistan - a ‘holy city’.
The Pak-Indo Friendship Association would organize a function to mark this historic occasion, likely to be attended by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Punjab Sahib, in Pak’s Rawalpindi, is one of the most holy places of Sikhism because of the presence of a rock believed to have the hand print of first Sikh guru - Guru Nanak Dev - imprinted on it.
Pak-Indo Friendship Association president and legal Consulate Ministry of Interior Government of Pakistan Arif Chaudhry, who called on Badal on late Thursday evening at the latter’s residence, maintained that schedule would be finalized as per Badal’s convenience.
Appreciating the benevolent gesture of Pakistan Government as well as the concerted efforts of the Association, Badal said that he had always championed the cause for further strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Pakistan through opening the Hussainiwala and Fazilka border that would give far more impetus to boost trade & business activity in the sub-continent.
He also mentioned that SAD-BJP government had successfully created a peaceful atmosphere in which the industrial and commercial activities were flourishing in the state.
“The communal harmony, amity, and brotherhood amongst people of different religions are at par excellence in Punjab,” said Badal, hoping that with the formation of new government in Pakistan, the bilateral relations would further improve and new business and cultural exchange avenues would be worked out through promoting people to people contact programmers.
Arif also apprised Badal that Pak-Indo Friendship Association was jointly founded in 2003 foster a sense of friendship and amity amongst the people of both the Countries. He recalled the Association’s initiative to arrange a visit of India lawyers’ deputation to Pak Jails for a meeting with late Sarabjit Singh.
“Forum would also ensure to sort out all issues related to the welfare of Sikhs living at Panja Sahib besides the development of Punja Sahib in a planned manner,” he added.