Lahore, Nov 11: More than 3000 Sikh pilgrims are expected to arrive in Lahore from India, mostly from Amritsar, at the Wagah Border today to commemorate the 540th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Jee at Nankana Sahib on Thursday.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (PSGPC) are the two main authorities that deal with Sikh affairs in Pakistan.

ETPB Deputy Administrator (Shrines) Faraz Abbas said that over 3000 Sikh pilgrims from India are expected to arrive for Guru Nanak’s 540th birth anniversary. The celebrations would last from November 11 to 13, he said and added that the main religious function would be held at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib on November 13.

He said that the ETPB had made all necessary arrangements in this regard. Around 1200 Sikh pilgrims had already arrived from the UK, UAE, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Singapore, Thailand, the US, Germany and Canada.

The ETPB would give a warm welcome to Sikh pilgrims at the Wagah border, where they are expected to arrive on four special trains, the Daily Times quoted him as saying.

Faraz said that the pilgrims would be provided with langar before the same trains would leave for Nankana Sahib.

He said that about 25,000 pilgrims would fly from across the world to commemorate the special occasion. The Indian pilgrims would visit several sacred places, including Sacha Sauda Gurdwara, Kartarpur Sahib, Rohri Sahib and Panja Sahib Gurdawara, he said and added that the pilgrims would stay in Hassan Abdal from November 15 to 16 and in Lahore at Dera Sahib Gurdawara from November 17 to 20.

He said that all the pilgrims would leave Pakistan for India through the special trains on November 20. (ANI)