Sikh pilgrims’ joy as visa ban is lifted, allowing travel to Pakistan
After a disappointing turn of events, Harjindarpal Singh’s joy knew no bounds when he received his passport and Pakistani visa on October 31, 2025. The 50-year-old, a resident of Hoshiarpur, was one of 2,100 Sikh pilgrims who were issued visas by the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, following a significant U-turn by the Indian government. This decision came weeks after Singh’s pilgrimage to Sikh shrines in Pakistan, including Nankana Sahib, was canceled, leaving him and his fellow devotees in a state of uncertainty.
Singh’s journey to Pakistan was highly anticipated, as he had been preparing for months. He expressed his deep devotion, stating, “This pilgrimage means everything to me. It’s not just a trip; it’s a spiritual calling.” The pilgrimage, which will take place from November 4 to 13, will see the Jathas crossing the Wagah border and returning on November 13. These groups plan to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, at his birthplace in Pakistan, a significant event that has not been allowed since Operation Sindoor.
The Indian government’s decision to allow the pilgrimage was welcomed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) secretary, Partap Singh, who thanked both the Indian and Pakistani governments for their cooperation. Of the 2,100 pilgrims, 1,796 are from Punjab, while the others hail from Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Jammu, and Uttar Pradesh. However, the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, inaugurated in 2020, remains closed, forcing the pilgrims to take a longer road route to reach the shrines.
The confusion surrounding the decision to stop and then restart the pilgrimages persists. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have remained silent on the matter, with MEA officials attributing the decision to the MHA. Initially, on September 12, the MHA sent notices to state governments, citing security concerns as the reason for suspending the pilgrimages. This decision was met with criticism from the Punjab government and SGPC leaders, who called for a reconsideration.
The MHA’s notice stated, “Considering the prevailing security scenario with Pakistan, it would not be possible to send Sikh pilgrims’ jathas to Pakistan.” However, sources revealed that the notice was rescinded in early October, but the reasoning behind the U-turn remains unclear. MEA and MHA officials have declined to comment on the security situation in Pakistan, leaving questions unanswered.
The 1974 Protocol on religious exchanges between India and Pakistan, which facilitates religious travel, is now in question. With no requests from Pakistan regarding religious travel, the future of this agreement remains uncertain. The suspension of visas for Pakistani nationals after the Pahalgam attack in April 2025 and the ongoing suspension of fresh visas for various travel purposes, including medical treatment and visiting relatives, further complicate the situation. The Indian government’s decision to allow the Sikh pilgrimage to Pakistan has sparked a mix of relief and curiosity, leaving many questions to be answered.