In a significant diplomatic and religious gesture, Pakistan has issued more than 2,800 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for the annual Baisakhi festival, scheduled from April 10 to 19, 2026. The move, announced by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, underscores Islamabad’s ongoing commitment to facilitating religious tourism and promoting interfaith harmony, even amid longstanding bilateral tensions.
The pilgrims will visit key Sikh holy sites in Pakistan, including Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires to India, Saad Ahmad Warraich, extended warm greetings to the pilgrims, emphasizing that the visit reflects Pakistan’s dedication to fostering cultural understanding and religious tolerance. “As a proud custodian of numerous places of worship, Pakistan will continue to advance universal ideals of tolerance, goodwill, and mutual respect,” Warraich stated in a press release.
This visa issuance operates under the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974, a framework designed to facilitate cross-border pilgrimages between the two nations. However, the gesture comes against a backdrop of recent friction. Last year, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) condemned the Indian government for repeatedly denying permission to Sikh pilgrims seeking to visit Pakistan, labeling it a violation of religious freedom. PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora criticized India’s restrictions, noting that Pakistan has consistently welcomed Sikh pilgrims while India imposes travel bans, such as one implemented after the Pahalgam attack in April 2025.
Pakistan has further streamlined access for global pilgrims through an online visa facility, particularly benefiting communities in the UK, Canada, and the United States. In contrast, Indian Sikhs face ongoing hurdles, highlighting a disparity in religious travel policies. This visa issuance for Baisakhi not only supports spiritual journeys but also serves as a diplomatic overture, reinforcing Pakistan’s role as a guardian of minority religious sites. As regional observers note, such initiatives may pave the way for improved people-to-people ties, despite political complexities.
The Baisakhi festival, a cornerstone of Sikh culture, commemorates the formation of the Khalsa and the harvest season. Pakistan’s facilitation of this pilgrimage aligns with broader efforts to showcase its cultural heritage and commitment to interfaith dialogue, offering a glimpse of cooperation in a often-tumultuous bilateral relationship.