Centre's decision sought for Sikh pilgrimage group to attend celebrations in Pakistan for Gurpurb event

Centre's decision sought for Sikh pilgrimage group to attend celebrations in Pakistan for Gurpurb event

In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, India imposed a ban on its citizens traveling to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border, and asked Pakistani nationals to leave after suspending visas with some exceptions. This decision was followed by Pakistan's suspension of all visas issued to Indian nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme, except for Sikh pilgrims.

Due to the resulting heightened diplomatic tensions, Sikh pilgrimages to Pakistan have faced restrictions. The SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) did not send a Sikh jatha (group of pilgrims) to Pakistan for the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in June.

However, efforts are ongoing to resume pilgrimages for the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in November. The SGPC has initiated the process by requesting Sikh pilgrims to submit their passports and required documents by August 4, to secure visas for the pilgrimage to historic gurdwaras such as Gurdwara Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.

The SGPC remains optimistic about the possibility of India-Pakistan relations improving by November, potentially allowing the pilgrimage to proceed. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami believes that sending jathas to gurdwaras in Pakistan on historic occasions is a tradition and cannot be discontinued.

In summary, current travel status is suspended for general Indian citizens post-Pahalgam attack, with visas for Sikh pilgrims being exempt but limited. The SGPC is collecting passports for visa processing for the November pilgrimage, which is planned for the Guru Nanak birth anniversary in November 2025, pending government approval and visa issuance. Past pilgrimages have been affected, with a Sikh jatha not traveling in June due to diplomatic tensions. The SGPC remains hopeful for improved relations and a pilgrimage in November.

1. The Indian government's decision to ban travel to Pakistan has affected not only general travel but also Sikh pilgrimages to historic gurdwaras, such as Gurdwara Janam Asthan at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.
2. Despite the current travel restrictions, the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) is planning for the November 2025 pilgrimage to these gurdwaras, asking Sikh pilgrims to submit their passports and required documents by August 4 to secure visas.
3. The SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) is optimistic about improved India-Pakistan relations by November, which could potentially allow the planned pilgrimage to proceed, given that sending Sikh jathas (groups of pilgrims) to gurdwaras in Pakistan on historic occasions is a tradition that the SGPC believes cannot be discontinued.
4. Recent developments in the realm of politics and international relations, including the Pahalgam terror attack and the resulting diplomatic tensions, have led to a suspension of most visas between India and Pakistan, with exceptions made for Sikh pilgrims visiting religious sites.
5. Sports or lifestyle-related travel is not the only sector impacted by the current geopolitical climate; policy-and-legislation decisions, such as the travel ban between India and Pakistan, have had far-reaching implications, affecting everything from general news and politics to international diplomacy and relations, including the ability of Sikh pilgrims to visit gurdwaras in Pakistan.

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