Chandigarh: Pakistan has decided to declare Hassan Abdal town, where the historic Sikh shrine ‘Panja Sahib’ is located, as a “holy city.” This was stated by visiting Interior Ministry Legal Adviser Arif Chaudhry when he called on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here on Thursday.

According to an official release, Mr. Chaudhry, who is also the president of the Pak-Indo Friendship Association, invited Mr. Badal to visit Pakistan for the event when the town shall be granted the new status. The effort would also resolve various issues and initiate a process of development in the region. He said the schedule would be finalised as per the convenience of Mr. Badal. The Panja Sahib shrine, which is related to travels by the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, is located in Attock district of Punjab, about 30 km from Rawalpindi. It gets the name as one of the rocks is believed to have the handprint of the Guru. The shrine was first constructed by Hari Singh Nalwa, a legendary general in the Sikh army under the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century.

Appreciating the benevolent gesture of the Pakistan government as well as the concerted efforts of the association, Mr. Badal said he had always advocated the cause of further strengthening the ties between India and Pakistan by opening the Hussainewala and Fazilka borders which would provide impetus to trade and business activity in the sub-continent. He expressed the hope that with the formation of the new government in Pakistan, the bilateral relations would improve through business and cultural exchanges promoting people-to-people contacts.

Mr. Chaudhry said the Pak-Indo Friendship Association was jointly founded in 2003 to foster amity among the people of both countries. He recalled the association’s initiative to arrange a visit of Indian lawyers to Pakistan for a meeting with prisoner Sarabjit Singh.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 15, 2013.