New Delhi – The High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi has granted approximately 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India, allowing them to participate in the 554th birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The festivities are scheduled to be held in Pakistan from November 25 to December 4, 2023.
According to a press release from the high commission, the pilgrims will visit various important Sikh sites during their visit, including Dera Sahib, Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur Sahib. The issuance of these visas falls under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, established in 1974.
Aizaz Khan, Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in India, expressed his heartfelt felicitations to the Sikh pilgrims and wished them a safe and meaningful journey. This exchange of visits and participation in religious festivities between Pakistan and India holds special significance for the Sikh community.
Each year, a significant number of Sikh Yatrees (pilgrims) from India travel to Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions. These visits serve as a means for Sikhs to connect with their religious heritage and visit sacred sites associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
The issuance of visas to Sikh pilgrims demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating religious tourism and promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two neighboring countries. It highlights the importance of religious harmony and the shared cultural heritage between the Sikh communities in India and Pakistan.
The celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday in Pakistan provide an opportunity for Sikhs from both countries to come together, fostering goodwill, understanding, and interfaith dialogue. It is an occasion that promotes peace and strengthens the bonds of friendship between the people of Pakistan and India.
As the Sikh pilgrims embark on their journey to Pakistan, they carry with them the prayers and aspirations of their community. The birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji serve as a time of reflection, spiritual renewal, and unity among Sikhs worldwide.
The High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi’s issuance of visas to Sikh pilgrims for this auspicious occasion underscores the significance of religious harmony and cultural exchange in building bridges between nations and promoting mutual respect and understanding.
