LARKANA: A special train carrying hundreds of devotees departed from Larkana on Saturday for Nankana Sahib, where thousands of Sikh pilgrims will gather to celebrate the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
The train, arranged for pilgrims from Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts, carried 234 passengers, including men, women, and children. Hindu Panchayat Chairman Harish Lal and other community representatives were present at the Larkana Railway Station to bid farewell to the devotees amid a festive atmosphere.
According to Station Master Ayaz Abbasi, the train left for Rohri Junction under tight security provided by local and railway police. At Rohri, the carriages will be attached to another train headed for Nankana Sahib, where the main celebrations are set to take place from November 3 to 6.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has completed arrangements for the annual festival. Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Chairman Khawaja Salman Rafique, and Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi reviewed the preparations in Nankana Sahib on Saturday.
بابا گورونانک دیو جی کے جنم دن کی تقریبات کے حوالے سے صوبائی وزیر صحت و چیئرمین کابینہ کمیٹی برائے امن و امان خواجہ سلمان رفیق اور صوبائی وزیر اقلیتی امور سردار رمیش سنگھ اروڑہ کی زیر صدارت ایک اہم اجلاس منعقد ہوا. pic.twitter.com/zbDpjHuLEN
— Khawaja Salman Rafique (@SalmanRafiquePK) November 1, 2025
Minister Arora said the festivities will begin with the Akhand Paath and conclude with the main ceremony and Nagar Kirtan on November 5 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Guru Nanak’s birthplace. He added that around 30,000 pilgrims are expected to participate this year, including 2,100 from India.
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi confirmed it had issued over 2,100 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims, marking one of the first significant travel permissions since bilateral exchanges were curtailed in May. Indian media reported that selected groups would be allowed to undertake a 10-day pilgrimage.
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In view of the celebrations, the local administration has declared school holidays in Nankana City from November 4 to 6, while Baba Guru Nanak University will remain closed from November 3 to 6.
Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said special hospital wards in Lahore and Faisalabad have been set up to facilitate visiting Sikh pilgrims during the celebrations.
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