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Punjab welcomes Sikhs with open arms: CM

* Yatrees to be facilitated in every possible way

LAHORE: Sikh yatrees will be facilitated in every way possible and the people of Punjab will welcome them wholeheartedly, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday.

Addressing a seminar on the 541st birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the CM said that Nanak had a prominent place in history because of his teachings, adding that followers of several different beliefs revered him.

He said the Punjab government would fully support the federal government and the Evacuee Property Trust Board in building the Baba Guru Nanak International University at Nankana, adding that the Manawala–Nankana Sahib Road would be rebuilt.

Welcoming Sikh yatrees from different countries, the CM congratulated the Sikh community on Nanak’s birth anniversary. He said a number of Sikh yatrees came to Punjab each year. He said Baba Guru Nanak had promoted religious tolerance through his teachings and also collected poetic verses of Fariduddin Ganj Shakar and preserved them in his religious book, the Guru Garanth Sahib.

Shahbaz said the Punjab government had given special status to Nankana Sahib district and was determined to make it a model district. He appreciated the services of Evacuee Property Trust Board Chairman Syed Asif Hashmi in facilitating Sikh yatrees. Addressing the seminar, Muslim–Sikh Federation Chairman Sardar Manmohan Singh Khalsa said the friendship between Sikhs and Muslims was deep rooted, adding that Sikhs were ready to protect Punjab, the land of Baba Guru Nanak, with their lives if necessary.

Also, Evacuee Property Trust Board Chairman Syed Asif Hashmi said the government gave top priority to the upkeep of Sikh shrines and Gurdwaras in Pakistan.

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