Pakistan Issues 2800 Visas for Indian Pilgrims' Baisakhi Celebrations

The pilgrims will visit significant Sikh religious sites, including Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the official statement read.

Extending his greetings on the occasion, the Charge d'Affaires of Pakistan to India, Saad Ahmad Warraich, said, "We wish the pilgrims a fulfilling and spiritually rewarding stay in Pakistan." He further highlighted the broader significance of the visit, stating, "This visit is an affirmation of Pakistan's abiding commitment to promote interreligious and intercultural harmony and understanding."

Warraich also emphasised Pakistan's role as a custodian of numerous places of worship, noting, "As a proud custodian of numerous places of worship, Pakistan will continue to advance universal ideals of tolerance, goodwill and mutual respect."

The initiative is being conducted under the framework of the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974, which governs such cross-border religious visits between the two countries. Pilgrims travelling to Pakistan under this protocol are provided access to key historical and religious sites, ensuring a structured and safe experience.

Baisakhi, celebrated with great fervour by the Sikh community, marks the harvest festival in Punjab and holds religious significance as it commemorates the formation of the Khalsa in 1699. Each year, thousands of devotees from India travel to Pakistan to visit sacred Sikh shrines, reinforcing cultural and spiritual ties across the border.

The issuance of visas this year has been widely welcomed by religious communities in India, who view it as an opportunity to deepen faith and strengthen cultural connections. Organisers of the pilgrimage have coordinated closely with authorities on both sides to ensure smooth travel and compliance with the required protocols.

Warraich's statement underscores Pakistan's ongoing effort to facilitate such visits and highlights the country's commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue. The Baisakhi pilgrimage not only provides devotees with a spiritual journey but also serves as a platform for promoting goodwill and understanding between India and Pakistan.

The Pakistan High Commission confirmed that all necessary arrangements, including travel, accommodation, and religious site access, have been made to ensure that the pilgrims' visit is safe, well-organised, and spiritually enriching.

- ANI