Amritsar, Oct. 3 -- Sikh organisations and the Akal Takht on Thursday welcomed the central government's decision to allow the Sikh jatha (group) to visit Nankana Sahib and other historic shrines in Pakistan on the occasion of the Parkash Purb (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak.

Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said the September 12 decision of the government regarding not sending the jatha this year had hurt Sikh sentiments. Sikhs and devotees of Guru Nanak across the world celebrate his Parkash Gurpurb every year and every Sikh longs to visit the sacred birthplace of the Guru in Nankana Sahib, he said.

"Sikh jathas must continue to visit gurdwaras in Pakistan regularly as this helps strengthen communal harmony and i...