The American Punjabi Society’s president, Garry Sikka, led a team of 135 members that landed in Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport on Friday.
At the airport, Syed Qamar Raza, chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, greeted the delegation. In accordance with Lahore Police security practice, the delegates were then led to the Royal Swiss Hotel.
The party intends to tour some of Pakistan’s most well-known Gurdwaras. Their arrival coincides with rumors that Indian officials have tried to dissuade affluent Sikhs from visiting Sikh sacred places in Pakistan.
Pakistani officials think that India might be limiting the amount of money made from religious tourism by only inviting less wealthy Sikhs to travel.
In Lahore, the Sikh tourists from the United States were greeted with garlands by the locals.
