In a major development ahead of Khalsa Sajna Diwas (Vaisakhi) celebrations, a total of 1,942 Sikh pilgrims have been granted visas to visit Pakistan and pay obeisance at prominent gurdwaras. The pilgrimage is being organised by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
According to SGPC Secretary Partap Singh, the entire list of passport applications submitted to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi was approved, marking a significant gesture of goodwill.
The religious jatha (group) will depart on April 10 from the SGPC headquarters and head to Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, where the main congregation will take place. During their visit, the pilgrims will also tour other historic Sikh shrines across Pakistan. The group is scheduled to return to India on April 19.
Partap Singh mentioned that devotees whose visas have been cleared can collect their passports from the SGPC office on April 9 during working hours.
He recalled how in the past, several applicants were denied visas, causing disappointment among the Sikh community. A delegation led by SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan had recently met with officials at the Pakistan High Commission, requesting approval for all applicants — a plea that was this time fully honoured.
Expressing gratitude, the SGPC thanked both India and Pakistan’s governments, as well as the officials at the Pakistan High Commission, for their cooperation in facilitating this significant religious pilgrimage.
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