AMRITSAR, Sept. 16 -- Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), along with several political leaders, decried the Centre's move to refuse permission to send a Sikh jatha (group of pilgrims) to Pakistan for Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak's Parkash Gurpurab in November this year, citing security concerns.

Slamming Centre's decision, Giani Gargaj, in a statement, said that if a cricket match can be played between the two countries, then why should Sikh devotees not be allowed to travel to Pakistan.

"If the governments truly want peace and progress in the region, it is essential that India and Pakistan improve relations and open trade routes," the jathedar said, pointing to the fact tha...