Even as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee awaits reply from the Centre over security of Sikh gurdwaras in Swat valley in Pakistan’s north-west, which is now under Taliban’s control, the religious body today shot off another missive to PM Dr Manmohan Singh and Pak High Commission for ensuring security of Sikh pilgrims visiting neighbouring country on Baisakhi.

The SGPC has expressed deep concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Pak following terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers.

Saying that foreign nationals were not safe on Pakistan’s soil, the SGPC did not rule out “rethinking” on sending jathas to Pakistan. The SGPC and other religious organisations organise at least three pilgrims’ trips to Pakistan every year on Baisakhi in April, Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary in November and martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev in June. Besides, smaller jathas also visit the neighbouring country on special occasions, like centenaries.

“We are concerned over the security of foreign nationals on Pakistani soil. The SGPC has already started the process of inviting applications for the jathas on Baisakhi, but the new security scenario poses a major challenge. We want the Indian government to formally take up the matter of security of jatha members with Pakistan,” said SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar.

He said in the current scenario it would be difficult to send the jatha to Pak. “We will convene a meeting of the executive to take a final decision,” he added.

“We have written to the PM and the Pak High Commission. We want the High Commission to assure us about the security of thousands of pilgrims,” said Makkar, adding that they have even completed various formalities for sending pilgrims.

A 1,800-member jatha has recently returned from Pakistan after paying obeisance.

During the daily prayers (ardaas), Sikhs pray for unhindered opportunity to pay obeisance at their religious places in Pakistan. Jathas go to Pakistan mostly through the thrice-a-week Samjhauta Express from Attari Railway station. The pilgrims’ tour faced no roadblocks even during the Kargil War. However, jathas were held back from 1997 to 1999 by the SGPC in protest against Pakistan’s move to constitute their own Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC).