The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued over 2,800 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for the upcoming Baisakhi celebrations scheduled to take place in Pakistan from April 10 to 19, 2026.
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According to an official statement, pilgrims will visit several revered religious sites, including Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, which hold deep spiritual significance in Sikhism.
Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires to India, Saad Ahmad Warraich, extended warm wishes to the pilgrims, expressing hope that their visit would be spiritually enriching. He noted that facilitating such visits reflects Pakistan’s commitment to interfaith harmony and cultural understanding.
Warraich added that Pakistan, as a custodian of numerous sacred religious sites, remains dedicated to promoting tolerance, goodwill, and mutual respect among diverse communities. The pilgrimage is being conducted under the framework of the 1974 Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has previously raised concerns over restrictions faced by Sikh pilgrims in India. The committee criticized what it described as repeated denials of permission for pilgrims wishing to travel to Pakistan for religious purposes.
PSGPC President and Punjab Minorities Minister Ramesh Singh Arora termed such restrictions a violation of religious freedom, stating that they have hurt Sikh sentiments globally. He emphasized that Pakistan continues to welcome pilgrims to its holy sites, while also introducing online visa facilities to ease access for international visitors.
The development comes against the backdrop of strained travel conditions following last year’s restrictions imposed by India after the Pahalgam incident.
Read More: Pakistan issues visas for Indian pilgrims to celebrate Baisakhi
Despite challenges, the upcoming Baisakhi pilgrimage highlights ongoing efforts to maintain religious connections and cross-border cultural engagement.