AMRITSAR: The Pakistan government has revived the Khalistan propaganda and launched a massive campaign in its support at Nankana Sahib during the visit of Sikh pilgrims, who have gathered from across the world to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
According to intelligence sources, not only the banners inscribed with Khalistan were displayed in the gurdwaras but Sikh separatists enjoying shelter from Pakistani agency ISI delivered venomous speeches against India to provoke gullible devotees on the eve of Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary.
Sources added that the propaganda drive had been launched under the very nose of Pakistan administration and was being spearheaded by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) general secretary Gopal Singh Chawla, who claims to be a friend of Jamat-ud-Daawa chief and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed. They said that in order to provoke Sikh sentiments, posters eulogising Khalistan and militants have also been displayed in the gurdwaras in Pakistan.
"Post Indian Army's surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), this is the massive campaign launched to fan the separatist movement," sources said, adding that Sikh fugitives living in Pakistan also held a meeting with various foreign-based Khalistan ideologues to further their movement. According to sources, the Pakistan government wanted to avenge the Indian Army's action by provoking the Sikhs in the name of religion and a separate nation was top on their agenda.
When asked about Khalistan propaganda, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman Siddiq-ul-Farooq said, "The Sikhs have gathered from all over world here to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and if they talk about Khalistan, it is their affair." He denied that any Pakistani official or minister spoke about Khalistan in their speeches. "Besides me, there were federal minister of Kashmir affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Barjees Tahir and federal minister for religious affairs Muhammad Yousaf. None of us uttered a single word about Khalsitan," the ETPB chief said.
