For the first time in 50 years, the Pakistan government has issued over 6,700 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for the Baisakhi festival, an official announced this week. This number is more than double the agreed-upon amount between the two countries.
Sikh pilgrims from India are expected to start arriving in Pakistan on April 10 via the Wagah Border, ahead of Baisakhi on April 14. This year, the main event will take place at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib on April 14 rather than at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasanabdal, where it has traditionally been held.
“Under the Pakistan-India Religious Protocol Agreement 1974, up to 3,000 Sikh pilgrims are permitted to visit Pakistan for any religious festival. However, the government has issued 6,751 visas, granting 3,751 additional visas on the special request of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Evacuee Trust Property Board,” said board additional secretary Saifullah Khokhar.
According to officials from Pakistan, this marks the first time in the country's history that such a significant number of Indian Sikh pilgrims will be visiting for a religious pilgrimage. Khokhar stated that all essential facilities for the pilgrims are being provided. Air-conditioned buses, comfortable accommodations, and robust security measures will be available for the pilgrims. The Indian Sikhs are scheduled to return to their homeland on April 19.
The roots of Sikhism can be traced back to the heart of Pakistan. The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, was born in 1469 in Nankana, which was part of undivided India. Nanak's movement can be seen as a rebellion against institutional religion. Through his encounters, he criticised religious rituals and questioned the rigid identities that distinguish different faiths, which he believed divided humanity. In contrast, for Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh Guru, Nanak represented the symbolic founder of the Khalsa, a unique religious identity for the Guru's followers. Centuries later, the teachings of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism can still be found in this region of Pakistan. From the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev to the site of Guru Arjan Dev's martyrdom, several significant places are now marked with gurudwaras. There are several historical gurudwaras in Pakistan.
This year, the main event will be held at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib on April 14. Located approximately 65 km from Lahore, Gurdwara Janam Asthan is one of the most revered sites for Sikhs worldwide. Formerly known as Rai-Bhoi-Di-Talwandi, the town was renamed Nankana Sahib in honor of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, who was born there.
Gurudwara Darbar Sahib is considered one of the holiest sites for Sikhs. It is built on the historic site where Guru Nanak settled after completing his missionary work. He preached at this location for 18 years and eventually passed away there. Located in Kartarpur in the Narowal district of Punjab, Pakistan, this gurudwara is one of the most significant sites in Sikhism, alongside the Golden Temple and Janam Asthan Sahib.
