Latest news with #IndianSikh
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India blocks Sikhs' Pakistan pilgrimage
In a move that has drawn criticism from religious leaders and advocates of interfaith harmony, the Indian government has barred Sikh pilgrims from traveling to Pakistan to participate in the annual martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. Despite this restriction, Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) organised a symbolic reception at Lahore's Wagah border on Sunday, expressing solidarity with the Sikh community and promoting interfaith harmony. The main ceremony marking Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom will be held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 16, with invitations extended to Sikh pilgrims from across the world, including India. According to the event schedule, the Indian pilgrims were scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on June 9. However, ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan and the closure of the border led the Indian government to block its citizens from undertaking the pilgrimage. Speaking at the symbolic reception, ETPB Chairman Dr Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, committee members, Lahore's Krishna Mandir priest Pandit Kashi Ram, Balmiki Hindu community representative Amarnath Randhawa, custodian of Hazrat Mian Mir's shrine Makhdoom Syed Ali Raza Gillani, and members of the Christian community were present to demonstrate interfaith unity. Addressing the gathering, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar said that under a bilateral agreement, up to 1,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims are permitted to visit Pakistan for the martyrdom anniversary events.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India blocks Sikh pilgrims from visiting Pakistan for Guru Arjan Dev Ji anniversary
Listen to article In a move that has drawn criticism from religious leaders and advocates of interfaith harmony, the Indian government has barred Sikh pilgrims from traveling to Pakistan to participate in the annual martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. Despite this restriction, Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) organised a symbolic reception at Lahore's Wagah border on Sunday, expressing solidarity with the Sikh community and promoting interfaith harmony. The main ceremony marking Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom will be held at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore on June 16, with invitations extended to Sikh pilgrims from across the globe, including India. According to the event schedule, the Indian pilgrims were scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on June 9. However, ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan and the closure of the border led the Indian government to block its citizens from undertaking the pilgrimage. READ MORE: 20m Sikhs stand with Pakistan against Indian aggression, says Khalistan Movement leader Speaking at the symbolic reception, ETPB Chairman Dr. Sajid Mahmood Chauhan, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, committee members, Lahore's Krishna Mandir priest Pandit Kashi Ram, Balmiki Hindu community representative Amarnath Randhawa, custodian of Hazrat Mian Mir's shrine Makhdoom Syed Ali Raza Gillani, and members of the Christian community were present to demonstrate interfaith unity. Addressing the gathering, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar said that under a bilateral agreement, up to 1,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims are permitted to visit Pakistan for the martyrdom anniversary events. 'Unfortunately, this year the Indian government has not only denied permission to its pilgrims but has also kept the Kartarpur Corridor closed,' Khokhar stated. 'In April, Pakistan issued 7,000 visas to Indian pilgrims for Vaisakhi celebrations. Our doors remain open to Sikh pilgrims. Despite strained relations, Pakistan has clearly stated that its doors are open to Indian Sikh pilgrims 24/7. We are hopeful that Indian Sikhs will visit Pakistan for the upcoming anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh,' he added. READ MORE: Punjab minority minister, Sikh leaders condemn Indian drone attack on Nankana Sahib PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora strongly condemned the Indian government's decision, stating, 'Respecting religious freedoms is a fundamental responsibility of every country. Regrettably, India has undermined religious harmony and hurt the sentiments of Sikh pilgrims by preventing them from visiting Pakistan on Guru Arjan Dev Ji's martyrdom anniversary. The closure of the Kartarpur Corridor is part of the same policy.' He further emphasized that the Sikh community receives immense respect in Pakistan, where the government prioritizes the upkeep of Sikh religious sites. 'Pakistan is a true guardian of minority rights. India's actions—blocking Sikh pilgrims and keeping the Kartarpur Corridor shut—are unacceptable and provocative,' Arora remarked. He also criticized Indian media for its ongoing propaganda against Pakistan, saying, 'Pakistan continues to promote peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony. The Kartarpur Corridor remains open from our side, and Indian Sikh pilgrims are welcome to visit at any time.' Previously, Arora has expressed deep gratitude to the global Sikh community for their strong show of solidarity with Pakistan and its armed forces amidst recent regional developments. READ MORE: Khalsa leader expresses solidarity with Pakistan In a statement issued, Arora lauded the unity and ideological clarity demonstrated by Sikhs across the world, saying, "The Sikh nation has once again proven that it does not compromise on the principles of peace, brotherhood and truth." He noted that Sikhs living in countries such as India, the United States, Canada, various European nations and Switzerland had shown unwavering support for Pakistan's stance. "This is a historic message that truth knows no borders," he added. The minister said that attempts by certain hostile elements to create discord within the Sikh community had failed.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab Police arrests Pakistan spy from Tarn Taran for sharing sensitive info to ISI during Operation Sindoor
Gopal Singh Chawla TARN TARAN: The Counter Intelligence(CI) Wing of Punjab has uncovered a conspiracy involving a resident of Tarn Taran in collaboration with Gopal Singh Chawla, a prominent Khalistani leader in Pakistan, who is reportedly operating under the direct command of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav informed on Tuesday that CI, Punjab in a joint operation with Tarn Taran police have arrested Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur, Gali Nazar Singh Wali, Tarn Taran who has been in contact with Chawla and used to share sensitive information concerning army movements during Operation Indoor. Chawla, a pro-Khalistan Sikh leader from Nankana Sahib and the chairman of Punjabi Sikh Sangat, has been consistently vocal in his anti-India rhetoric. He has reportedly played a key role in organizing anti-India demonstrations and is believed to be tasked by ISI with identifying 'soft targets' among Indian Sikh jathas visiting Pakistan on religious occasions . Chawla first came into the spotlight after posting photographs with Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Jamaat-ud-Dawa and the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Yadav informed that the investigations have revealed that Gagan was engaged in sharing classified details, including troop deployments and strategic locations, posing a threat to national security. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cặp EUR/USD: Đà Tăng? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 'Gagandeep Singh had been in touch with Pakistan-based Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla for the past five years, through whom he was introduced to the Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) and also received payments from PIO's via Indian channels, said Yadav. CI, Punjab have recovered a mobile phone containing intelligence that he shared with the PIOs, as well as the details of over 20 ISI contacts. Thorough financial and technical investigations are underway to trace other linkages and establish the full scope of this espionage network, said he. In 2019, Jalandhar police had arrested one Harpal Singh Pala, resident of Bhatija village who was in touch with Gopal Singh Chawla for allegedly supplying crucial and strategic information to the ISI agent Chawla Yadav informed that an FIR has been registered under the Official Secrets Act at PS City, Tarn Taran, and further investigation is in progress.
Business Upturn
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Kartarpur Sahib Corridor services suspended amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions, confirms MEA
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on May 9, 2025, 18:11 IST Amid escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan, the Government of India has suspended services of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor until further notice. The announcement was made during the third official media briefing since Operation Sindoor, by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. ' In view of the existing security scenario, the services of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor have been suspended till further directions, ' said Misri while responding to a question on the status of the cross-border pilgrimage route. The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Pakistan PM Imran Khan on November 9, 2019, has been a significant religious and diplomatic channel, allowing visa-free access to Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. The 4.7-kilometre-long corridor links Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in Gurdaspur, Punjab to the revered shrine believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev. The corridor had briefly shut during the Covid-19 pandemic but was reopened on November 17, 2021. Both countries had further renewed the corridor agreement for another five years in 2024. It served not just as a religious passage but also a symbol of people-to-people ties between Indian and Pakistani Punjabs. However, with current border escalations and cross-border violations, India has opted for precautionary suspension. No date for resumption has been announced yet. Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
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First Post
09-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Misri says Kartarpur Corridor shut 'till further orders' in view of India-Pak standoff
The closure has stopped Indian Sikh pilgrims from visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, though Pakistan keeps the corridor open on its side read more Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri Friday (May 9) announced that the Kartarpur Corridor has been shut from India's side indefinitely in view of Pakistan's indiscriminate firing across the Line of Control (LoC). Earlier in the day, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs' bureau of immigration announced the closure of the corridor 'till further orders'. The closure has stopped Indian Sikh pilgrims from visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, though Pakistan keeps the corridor open on its side. On Wednesday morning (May 7), about 150 Sikh pilgrims were turned away at the Dera Baba Nanak check post in Gurdaspur after waiting over 90 minutes. (More to follow)
