Over 5,800 Sikh pilgrims return from Pakistan after Baisakhi celebrations

Amritsar: A batch of around 5,800 Sikh pilgrims, who had travelled to Pakistan to celebrate Khalsa Sajna Diwas and the Baisakhi festival, returned via the Wagah-Attari route on Saturday.

However, a shortage of testing staff at the Wagah border caused long queues, leaving pilgrims waiting under the scorching sun for hours. Due to the heat, the health of three pilgrims deteriorated and they were provided medical assistance at the Attari border.

According to information, the Pakistani Embassy had issued visas to nearly 6,500 Sikh pilgrims this year, more than double the number granted in previous years. The unexpectedly large turnout led to a shortage of accommodation and langar arrangements at several gurdwaras in Pakistan.

To manage the situation, the jatha was split into two groups—one stationed at Gurdwara Panja Sahib and the other at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.

SGPC vice-secretary Gurcharan Singh Kohala, who was part of the jatha, said that while the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the Auqaf Board did their best to make arrangements, the facilities fell short at several locations due to the overwhelming number of pilgrims.