Lahore: The Governor of (West) Panjab Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar and the president of the Panjab unit of tehreek-e-insaaf (TeI) Pakistan, Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhary here on Saturday evening while hosting a tea party for the Sikh dignitaries gathered from around the globe, commenced the first world Sikh conference.
This International Sikh Convention is a part of the events being held in the country to mark 550th parkash purab of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
The three days (31st Aug- 2nd Sept) event with theme ‘Baba Guru Nanak atey ohna da yug’ (Guru Nanak and his times), is being hosted by the Governor of Punjab in coordination with the committee for religious tourism and heritage, Pakistan. The delegation from East Panjab consists of former IAS Gurjet Singh and Sikh media personalities like Jagmohan Sigh, Editor World Sikh News and Parmjeet Singh, Editor Sikh Siyasat News (SSN).
While addressing the Governor reportedly said that people of all religions living in Pakistan are Pakistanis. He said minorities must speak freely and their views and opinions will be respected by the Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Furthermore he stated “Guru Nanak spread the message of love, peace, tolerance and brotherhood he said and added that the bonhomie between Islam and Sikhism goes a long way back and both communities have always worked together for peace and harmony.”
While conveying major announcement on tbe behalf of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Governor added that, “Imran Khan’s decision to open Kartarpur corridor is a symbol of (Pakistan’s) love for Sikhs,” he said, adding, “80 to 85 per cent work on the corridor on Pakistan side is complete and there will be no commercial activity on 104 acres that Guru Nanak tilled. Safe City plan will be extended to Nankana Sahib and CCTV cameras will be installed for foolproof security of pilgrims”.
It is been reported by Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) editor Parmjeet Singh that management pertaining 550th Parkash purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Kartarpur Corridor and Guru Nanak Dev University would be three major issues that are expected to dominate the entire convention.
“Sikh delegates from several countries including the US, the UK, and Canada are attending the event to celebrate Guru Nanak’s teachings. The Punjab governor said that pilgrims who want to come to (Kartarpur) Pakistan in November for celebrations can now apply for visa. He also invited Sikh community from entire world to invest in Pakistan”, reads the statement of Advocate Imtiaz Qureshi, chairman of Pakistan-based Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation, also attended the conference published in an English vernacular.