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1,2 sikh yatrees

arrive in Lahore

for 'Baisari Mela'

LAHORE: A first batch of 1,200 Sikh yatrees arrived here on Tuesday by a special train from the Indian city of Amritsar to take part in the 10-day celebrations of "Baisakhi Mela", the second biggest festival of Sikh community marking advent of summer which begins at Hassanabdal from Friday, April 12, '96. In all over 3,000 Sikh yatrees are likely to take part in the festival from various parts of Indian who will arrive at the Wagha border in two batches on Thursday. The Vice Chairman, Evacuee Trust Property Board, Muhammad Hasnain Bhatti, the Administrator Shrine Qari Mahmud-ul-Hassan and senior officials of Pakistan Customs, Immigration and other concerned departments received the yatrees at the under-construction Wagha border. The Counsellor Indian Embassy based in Islamabad, Y.K Sinha was also present on the occasion.

Talking to newsmen, the Ludhiana-born party leader Sardar Ojagar Singh and Deputy Party Leaders Tara Singh Livra and Mohinder Singh told pressmen at the Wagha border that they had brought message of love and peace for the people of Pakistan.

Sardar Ojagar Singh said he was visiting Pakistan for the first time and was delighted to see hospitable people of Pakistan.

Sikh yatrees from Canada, United States, Malaysia, Iran and from other parts of the world are also arriving here to participate in the festival.

During their 10-day stay in Pakistan Sikh yatrees will visit Hassanabdal, Nankana Sahib, Suchha Sauda and Dera Sahib before returning home on April 22.-APP