AMRITSAR: The Pakistani government has decided not to extend invitation to Sikh jathas from India who were scheduled to visit Pakistan in June to observe the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev and death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Highly placed sources informed that the decision had been taken on the advice of Pakistan’s National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) in the wake of a surge in Covid 19 cases. Formed in April 2020, the NCOC is a principle organisation that governs Covid 19 policies and their implementation in the neighboring country.
Notably, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) led two Sikh jathas were scheduled to leave for Pakistan in June. Separate Sikh jathas are also sent to Pakistan by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and other small Sikh organisations.
Sources said, “Looking at the global spike in Covid-19 cases, jathas from other countries are not being allowed to participate in the religious events in June.”
The SGPC is yet to receive the official information regarding the cancellation of invitation to the Sikh jathas by the Pakistan government’s Evacuee Trust Property Board. The Sikh body here has also announced that they would decide on sending jathas to Pakistan based on the Covid-19 situation at that time.
However, many devotees had already deposited their passports with the SGPC for the proposed travel to Pakistan from June 6 to 15 and June 21 to 30.
View More | Source: Times of India