Pakistan has issued visas to 962 Indian Sikh pilgrims, facilitating their participation in an annual festival commemorating the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru. This initiative underscores Pakistan’s commitment to improving accessibility for Sikh devotees, especially those from India, to visit sacred sites within its borders.
Pakistan Issues Visas To Indian Sikh Pilgrims
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 962 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled on the eve of Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjun Dev Ji to be held in Pakistan from 8-17 June 2024.@ForeignOfficePk@Saadawarraich@epwing_official
— Pakistan High Commission India (@PakinIndia) June 5, 2024
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi highlighted this gesture through social media, noting that the visas will enable the pilgrims to partake in the festivities from June 8 to June 17, 2024. These events lead up to the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjun Dev on June 16, a date marking his death in 1606.
Guru Arjun Dev is revered in Sikhism for his profound contributions. These include compiling the Adi Granth, the precursor to the Guru Granth Sahib, which unified Sikh teachings. He also oversaw the construction of the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, elevating it to a major spiritual and cultural hub.
In recent years, Pakistan has taken significant steps to enhance the accessibility of key Sikh pilgrimage sites. The establishment of the Kartarpur Corridor in November 2019 exemplifies these efforts. This visa-free corridor allows Indian Sikhs to visit the final resting place of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, underscoring a commitment to facilitating cross-border pilgrimages.
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The Bilateral Protocol
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The itinerary also includes visits to other important sites, with Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal being a highlight. The rock imprinted with the handprint of Guru Nanak adds a layer of spiritual significance to the pilgrims’ journey.
Pakistan’s relaxed visa policy for Sikh pilgrims is part of a broader interfaith initiative. It is aimed at fostering religious tourism and enhancing interfaith understanding. This move aligns with the bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines. Under this, Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India and Pakistani pilgrims visit each other’s countries annually.
Through these measures, Pakistan honours significant observances such as the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjun Dev. They also promote communal welfare and equality, reflecting the values that Guru Arjun Dev himself championed during his leadership.
This initiative not only strengthens cultural and spiritual ties but also encourages dialogue and peace between the neighbouring nations.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Images
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