Lahore, Nov 3 : The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) would accord a warm welcome to Sikh pilgrims arriving here on November 21 to attend the 539th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev.

ETPB Shrines Deputy Administrator Fraz Abbas said that about 5,000 Sikh pilgrims from India are expected to arrive in Pakistan to celebrate the anniversary.

"After having lunch, the pilgrims would leave for Nankana Sahib where they would stay at different gurdawaras. The celebrations would last from November 21- 24", Abbas added.

PSGPC President Sardar Bishan Singh said that about 25,000 pilgrims from across the world would attend the festival. About 100 pilgrims from Afghanistan, 100 from Dubai, 80 from Iran and 2,000 from Europe along with 5,000 Hindus from Sindh would attend the birth anniversary celebrations.

The caretaker of the Gurdawara Dera Sahib, Azhar Abbas, said that only the Indian Sikh pilgrims would stay at the gurdawara. Pilgrims of other countries would stay in hotels.

According to sources, Chief Minister and Dyal Singh Research Forum would invite the Indian pilgrims either for lunch or dinner.

The Indian pilgrims would visit various sacred places including Gurdwara Sucha Sauda, Kartarpur Shaib, Rohri Sahib and Gurdawara Panja Sahib.

From November 25- 27 the pilgrims would stay in Hassan Abdal and from November 28 - 29 in Lahore at Gurdawara Dera Sahib. (ANI)