Pakistan railway minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed Monday announced his government’s decision to provide land to Sikh organisations to help construct modern hotels in Kartarpur, Nankana Sahib, and Narowal cities of the Punjab province.
A railway station in Kartarpur has also been promised for Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan, reports Dawn.
The minister was addressing reporters after bidding farewell to Indian Sikh pilgrims who left for Lahore in special trains after completing their religious ceremonies at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal.
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Rashid further said that the government has offered 10 acres of land in Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib while another 5 acres in Narowal to Sikh organisations to set up five-star hotels for the accommodation of visiting Sikh pilgrims. This land is to be used for the construction of high-end hotels, ensuring the comfort of the pilgrims.
Upgrading And Revamping Railway Stations
Hostels will also be constructed near all Sikh pilgrimage sites and train services would be provided from Nankana Sahib to Kartarpur and hostels would be established near all Sikh pilgrimage sites, according to the report.
The minister said that the Imran Khan government was investing millions to revamp and upgrade Hassanabdal and Narowal railway stations. The Pakistan government, he added, wants to ensure that the pilgrims have a hassle free journey.
He also apologised to Indian Sikh pilgrims for the inconvenience caused by the shortage of coaches in special trains, due to which the journey from Nankana Sahib to Panja Sahib was delayed.