Pakistan unexpectedly allowed more than 6,500 Indian Sikh pilgrims to participate in the 326th Vaisakhi festival, which caused logistical and diplomatic issues.
Pakistan unilaterally issues 6500 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims to cause eyebrows
Before the 326th Vaisakhi Festival, Pakistan made surprising news. Its Evacuation Trust Board (ETPB) said they expect about 7,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit this year’s Vaisakhi celebration. This is unusual because, under a long-term agreement between India and Pakistan, only about 3,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims are usually allowed to travel to Pakistan to participate in religious activities such as Vaisakhi.
This arrangement can be traced back to the early days when India and Pakistan became independent states. At that time, leader Jawaharlal Nehru from India and Liaquat Ali Khan from Pakistan agreed to make it easier for religious minorities to visit important religious sites on the border. Their goal is to ensure that people can observe the main festivals, even if the place of worship is in another country.
However, this year, the ETPB announcement did not mention any formal increase in visa quotas. It only says Pakistan is expected to arrive with 7,000 pilgrims. Meanwhile, the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi said in a press release that they have issued more than 6,500 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims. These pilgrims will visit sacred places such as Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib during the festival, which will take place from April 10 to 19, 2025.
Over the past few years, Sikh groups have been asked to submit passport details two months in advance, but this sudden increase has attracted attention. Professor Sarchand Singh, the leader of the Sikh community from Amritsar, welcomed the move but warned that accommodation, travel and safety arrangements could be difficult to manage in such a short time.
However, the Pakistani government claims they are well prepared. Officials directed local authorities in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Gujilanwara to ensure accommodation arrangements and safety. The main event will be held on April 13 at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal.
Despite these preparations, many experts remain cautious. In the past, pilgrims encountered problems of overcrowding, poor sanitation and limited medical facilities. Now, with the increase in additional pilgrims for extra pilgrimage, concerns that everything will go smoothly are growing.
Experts in India-Pakistan relations have also raised questions. They wonder if Pakistan makes gestures only once, or plans to expand similar hospitality to pilgrims in other Indian communities in the future. Some believe that the move may be more about politics than goodwill.
As the Vaisakhi Festival, commemorating the formation of Khalsa in 1699, it is even closer to the thousands of Indian Sikhs eager to visit the holy lands of Pakistan. Now all eyes are focused on how the two countries manage this spiritual journey.
