Sikh Leaders Call on India to Lift Ban on Pilgrimage to Pakistan Shrines

ISLAMABAD – Sikh community leaders have urged New Delhi to reconsider and lift the recently imposed ban on Sikh pilgrims traveling to Pakistan to visit the shrine of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. They said the move violates international norms and deeply hurts the religious sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide.

The appeal came from Mahesh Singh, vice president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, which manages Sikh shrines in Pakistan. His remarks followed the Indian government’s September 12 decision to deny permission for Sikhs to cross into Pakistan for Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary, citing security concerns.

The decision has sparked condemnation from Sikh organizations, opposition leaders, and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee in India. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticized the ban, noting that if cricket matches between the two countries are allowed, Sikh religious pilgrimages should also be permitted.

Pakistan Welcomes Sikh Pilgrims

Despite strained political ties, Pakistani officials have confirmed that Sikh pilgrims from India and abroad remain welcome. Pakistan hosts some of the most important Sikh shrines, including:

• Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib – birthplace of Guru Nanak.
• Kartarpur Sahib, Narowal – where Guru Nanak spent his final years.
• Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal – associated with Guru Nanak’s handprint miracle.
• Historic Gurdwaras in Lahore, Sialkot, and other regions of Punjab.

The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in 2019, allows visa-free access for Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Kartarpur Sahib shrine, only 4.5 km from the Indian border. Despite recent floods in Narowal, the shrine has been restored and reopened for worship.

Sikh Tours with Travel & Culture Services

For international Sikh pilgrims and diaspora communities, Travel & Culture Services offers specialized Sikh Heritage Tours in Pakistan. These guided tours include:

• Visits to all major Sikh shrines, including Nankana Sahib, Kartarpur, and Hasan Abdal.
• Comfortable transport, hotels, and arrangements for langar (community meals).
• Experienced guides knowledgeable in Sikh history and heritage.
• Customizable itineraries for families, community groups, and international delegations.

These tours are designed to ensure a spiritual, cultural, and historical journey for Sikh pilgrims who wish to reconnect with their roots in Pakistan.

Conclusion

Sikh leaders have appealed to India not to “play with the emotions of Sikhs” and to allow access for religious observances. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to extend its hand of welcome to Sikh pilgrims worldwide, ensuring their visits are facilitated with respect and hospitality. Travel & Culture Services remains committed to making Sikh tours in Pakistan safe, comfortable, and spiritually enriching.