ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Pakistan minister discusses Sikh heritage in Maryland
Sikh community representatives urged continued restoration of historic shrines in Pakistan and called for uninterrupted access to the Kartarpur Corridor for pilgrims worldwide
-
1759953093.png)
Staff Reporter - Mon, 01, Jun 2026
- 10:32 EDT
- 20
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora with Sikh Leadership in Maryland / Handout
Pakistan's Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora met Sikh community leaders in Maryland to discuss the preservation of heritage sites in Pakistan, pilgrimage access, and community concerns.
The gathering was hosted by Sawinder Singh, coordinator of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib Sub-Committee for Religious Affairs (USA) and a member of the Maryland Governor's Interfaith Council. The event brought together Sikh community leaders and professionals from across the region.
Also Read: Ohio-Pennsylvania Sikh Youth Symposium held in Dayton
During the meeting, participants welcomed Arora's appointment as a Sikh minister in Punjab, describing it as a milestone for minority representation in Pakistan.
Glimpse of the event / HandoutCommunity leaders presented a series of requests concerning the upkeep, restoration, and renovation of historic Sikh shrines, including Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak.
Arora reiterated Pakistan's commitment to safeguarding Sikh heritage and encouraged younger members of the Sikh diaspora to engage more closely with their cultural and religious roots.
The discussion also focused on access to Sikh pilgrimage sites in Pakistan. Sawinder Singh said political tensions between India and Pakistan frequently affect cross-border religious travel, disrupting pilgrim groups seeking to visit sacred sites.
He called for continued cooperation to ensure uninterrupted access to the Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free border crossing that allows Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, one of Sikhism's holiest shrines.
He said maintaining open access to the corridor is important for Sikhs worldwide, many of whose most revered religious sites are located in present-day Pakistan.
Among those attending the event were Gurpreet Takhar, chair of the Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs, Aman Shergill, Balwinder Sangha, Meharban Singh, Dr. Jatinder Singh Sekhon, Surjit Singh Sidhu, Mandeep Singh, Bakshish Singh Ropar, Ajit Dhaliwal, and other community representatives.
The meeting concluded with a ceremonial presentation in which Arora was honored with a shawl and a ceremonial sword, reflecting what participants described as a shared commitment to preserving Sikh heritage and fostering stronger people-to-people connections.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login