Islamabad:Three days of celebrations marking the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak have begun in Nankana Sahib, with Sikh pilgrims from around the world taking part in the religious rituals.
The pilgrims will commemorate the birth anniversary in rituals performed at the Gurdwara from November 3 to 5. More than two thousand pilgrims from India are expected to arrive tomorrow (Tuesday) through the Wagah Border to join the events.
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi said it had issued “over 2,100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India”, the first major allowance after travel between the arch-rival nations was frozen during conflict in May.
There was no immediate response from New Delhi, but Indian newspapers reported on Saturday that the government would allow “selected” groups to travel for a 10-day festival to celebrate the founder of the Sikh faith.
Authorities have put in place foolproof security arrangements for the visitors. The district administration has also set up facilitation centres, banks, hospitals, and money exchange counters for their convenience.
Around thirty thousand Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan and abroad are expected to attend the main ceremony.
Thousands of Sikh pilgrims come to Pakistan every year to commemorate Guru Nanak’s death and birth anniversaries, Baisakhi and other religious holidays.
These visits are facilitated under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, aimed at fostering religious harmony and cross-border understanding.It may be noted that India barred its Sikh citizens from travelling to Pakistan for Guru Nanak’s 486th death anniversary, held in September at Gurudwara Darbar Sahib.
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs denied permission for crossing the border to the Sikh citizens, citing prevailing tensions and security concerns between New Delhi and Islamabad in the wake of the conflict in May 2025.