Pakistan Issues Record Number of Visas for Sikh Pilgrims for Baisakhi Festival

In a momentous move underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to religious freedom and interfaith dialogue, the government has issued a record 6,629 visas for Indian Sikh pilgrims attending the Baisakhi festival 2025. This is more than double the usual number of visas granted to Sikhs for their annual pilgrimage, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations between Pakistan and India.

For the first time in 50 years, Sikh pilgrims will be able to visit sacred sites such as Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, as well as other revered gurdwaras in Pakistan. The expansion of the pilgrimage visa quota stands as a powerful symbol of the potential for faith to transcend political divisions. Despite the ongoing political tensions between the two nations, Pakistan’s gesture demonstrates the potential for compassion to reshape regional relations.

The decision to grant 6,629 visas has garnered widespread international acclaim, particularly in light of India’s increasingly stringent visa policies for religious minorities. Many have praised Pakistan’s initiative as a step towards building people-to-people connections and nurturing cultural and spiritual bonds, which are often overshadowed by political discord.

In Indian Punjab, the expansion of the visa quota has sparked immense goodwill. The Sikh community, long restricted in their access to religious sites in Pakistan, has hailed the decision as a historic diplomatic step. This generous move is seen as a stark contrast to India’s tightening visa regime, and it has been widely celebrated as a win for people-to-people diplomacy. By opening the doors to religious freedom, Pakistan is offering the Sikh community the opportunity to reconnect with their spiritual heritage in the land of their ancestors.

The historic Baisakhi festival of 2025, celebrated by millions of Sikhs worldwide, is now set to become a global milestone, with thousands of pilgrims realizing their long-held dream of visiting Nankana Sahib and other revered shrines in Pakistan. The festival, which commemorates the formation of the Khalsa in 1699, now has an added significance as it marks a new chapter in spiritual diplomacy between two nations.

For many Sikhs, Nankana Sahib is not just a place of worship; it is the beating heart of their faith. The fact that pilgrims are now able to visit it once again, after half a century of restricted access, is nothing short of a dream come true. Pakistan’s decision to welcome Sikh pilgrims with open arms speaks volumes about the power of faith and compassion to bridge divides.

The Nankana Sahib pilgrimage is expected to bring together devotees from around the world, creating an atmosphere of unity, love, and reverence. In a region often marked by political tensions, this diplomatic gesture offers hope that faith and compassion can unite people across borders and foster understanding between nations.

The expanded visa issuance is also seen as a beacon of spiritual diplomacy. While India has continued to tighten its visa policies, particularly for religious minorities, Pakistan’s move stands as a testament to the idea that even amidst strained relations, acts of kindness and mutual respect can create lasting change.