Visa Agreement Reached for Sikh Pilgrims Traveling to Pakistan for Guru Nanak Devs Birth Anniversary

Amritsar, August 18: The President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, announced positive developments regarding the visa process for Sikh pilgrims traveling to Pakistan for the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. A significant meeting was held between an SGPC delegation and the Pakistani ambassador, where detailed discussions took place regarding the visa applications of the pilgrims.

Dhami explained that the Shiromani Committee sends groups of Sikh pilgrims to visit sacred sites in Pakistan four times a year. These sites include Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Panja Sahib, Sri Kartarpur Sahib, and the historic gurdwaras in Lahore’s Chuna Mandi.

He noted that this year, due to scheduling conflicts with the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the group was unable to travel to Pakistan. However, for the upcoming Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary, the SGPC has received approximately 7,500 passports, and preparations for the pilgrims’ journey are underway.

According to the SGPC president, the Pakistani ambassador assured during the meeting that efforts would be made to approve all visa applications submitted by the Shiromani Committee. Dhami expressed gratitude to the ambassador for this positive assurance.

During the meeting, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami also raised concerns about the closure of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, urging both the Indian and Pakistani governments to reopen it soon. He emphasized that every Sikh pilgrim deeply wishes to visit the holy land where the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, spent significant time and spread the message of service to humanity. Dhami mentioned that the SGPC has previously called for the removal of the passport requirement, but the current closure of the corridor has led to disappointment and frustration among the Sikh community.

He further stated that the Shiromani Committee will bring this issue before the Indian government to establish necessary dialogue between the two countries and ensure that the Kartarpur Sahib corridor is reopened as soon as possible, keeping in mind the religious sentiments of the pilgrims.