“Pakistan Grants Over 2,100 Visas to Indian Sikh Pilgrims for Baba Guru Nanak’s Birth Anniversary Celebrations”
News Article:
Pakistan has issued more than 2,100 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims to attend the upcoming birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, scheduled to be held later this month in Nankana Sahib.
According to a statement from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, the visas were issued under the framework of the Pakistan–India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines (1974), which allows pilgrims from both nations to visit each other’s sacred religious sites.
The Sikh yatrees (pilgrims) will travel to Pakistan between November 6 and 15, where they will participate in various religious and cultural ceremonies at key gurdwaras, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan (Nankana Sahib), Gurdwara Panja Sahib (Hasan Abdal), and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib (Kartarpur).
Strengthening People-to-People Ties
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, Muhammad Khalid Jamali, said that Islamabad remains committed to facilitating religious tourism and promoting interfaith harmony.
“The doors of Pakistan’s sacred sites are always open to Sikh pilgrims. We look forward to welcoming our guests on the auspicious occasion of Baba Guru Nanak’s birth celebrations,” he stated.
Warm Welcome Expected
Thousands of Sikh pilgrims from across the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Malaysia, are also expected to join the celebrations. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) have completed extensive arrangements for security, accommodation, transport, and langar (community meals).
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Historical and Cultural Importance
Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, born in 1469 in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan), is revered as the founder of Sikhism and a symbol of peace and unity. His teachings continue to inspire millions across the globe. The annual celebrations of his birth anniversary serve as a reminder of Pakistan’s deep-rooted Sikh heritage and the spirit of religious coexistence.
