COMMERCE REPORTER
LAHORE: The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) organized a special event at Governor House Lahore in honor of Sikh pilgrims from United States of America and Canada, in which Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan participated as the chief guest.
The event was addressed by the acting president of FPCCI, Qurrat ul Ain, Provincial Minister for Minorities Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, and President of Pakistan Canada Trade Association, Bushra Rehman. Vice President and Regional Chairman of FPCCI Zaki Aijaz, vice President Zain Iftikhar, and others also attended.
On this occasion, Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said that India should attend the Champions Trophy in Pakistan because peace comes only through sports.
Governor Punjab said that it will not have a good image worldwide if it does not appear in the Champions Trophy. He said that whenever India invited Pakistan, the cricket team always went there to play. He said that Pakistan has always sacrificed in terms of sports. We have never stopped our team from going to India. Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said I wanted to message India that sports are sports and should not be subject to politics.
Qurrat ul Ain stated that we recognize that Pakistan is home to some of the holiest sites in Sikhism, including the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Nankana Sahib, and Panja Sahib. These sacred places are as significant to the Sikh community as Makkah and Madina are to Muslims. We are immensely proud that Baba Guru Nanak’s journey began here, and it is our honor to welcome you to his birthplace, where his spirit of peace and wisdom remains a cherished part of our heritage.
She further said that Pakistan warmly opens its doors to all Sikh pilgrims, valuing the tradition of religious tourism and the bridge it forms between nations and communities. Our citizens are known globally for their hospitality, and I assure you that this spirit of kindness and respect will extend to you throughout your stay. Every effort will be made to make your pilgrimage memorable and meaningful. Pakistanis take pride in caring for these sacred sites, and we have worked to maintain and preserve them for generations.
She expressed that beyond pilgrimage, I see immense potential for our collaboration to grow through mutual investment and business development. Sikh business people can play a vital role in Pakistan’s economy, creating jobs and strengthening economic bonds between nations. At FPCCI, we are ready to facilitate these opportunities, assisting with logistics, investment insights, and trade connections to ensure your businesses can thrive in Pakistan.
She said that FPCCI will also do everything in its power to support Sikh pilgrims in experiencing the best that Pakistan has to offer. We are here to facilitate and foster connections that span both spiritual and economic growth.
