Pakistan Issues Over 3,000 Visas to Sikh Pilgrims for Guru Nanak’s Birth Anniversary Celebrations
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi announced on Sunday that it has issued visas to over 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India, allowing them to participate in the upcoming celebrations for Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary at Nankana Sahib. The clarification comes in response to reports of visa denials, with the High Commission confirming that the approved pilgrims can attend the festivities scheduled from November 14 to 23.
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued over 3000 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the Birthday Celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji to be held in Pakistan from 14-23 November 2024.@ForeignOfficePk@Saadawarraich@epwing_official
— Pakistan High Commission India (@PakinIndia) November 10, 2024
In a statement on social media platform X, the High Commission stated, “The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued over 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji to be held in Pakistan.” Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, Saad Ahmad Warraich, extended his wishes to the pilgrims, hoping for a meaningful and fulfilling yatra.
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The annual pilgrimage, which allows Sikh pilgrims from India to visit prominent gurdwaras in Pakistan, is facilitated under the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of April 8, 1950. The bilateral agreement permits approximately 3,000 pilgrims to visit Sikh shrines in Pakistan during four major events each year, including Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary, Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom day, Baisakhi, and Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary.
Despite the issuance of visas, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has raised concerns over visa denials. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami reported that 65% of visa requests submitted by the organization were denied. The SGPC had applied for 2,244 visas, but only 763 were approved, leaving 1,481 applications unfulfilled. Dhami urged both the Indian and Pakistani governments to resolve the issue to facilitate the pilgrimage.
The Sikh jatha (group) is scheduled to depart for Pakistan on November 14 via the Attari-Wagah border. The group will first participate in celebrations at Nankana Sahib, Guru Nanak’s birthplace, on November 15, and then visit other important Sikh sites, including Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Dehra Sahib in Lahore, and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur over the 10-day pilgrimage.
Other Sikh organizations, in addition to the SGPC, have also submitted visa applications for pilgrims, aiming to ensure broad participation in the religious celebrations despite the challenges posed by visa approvals.
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