Amritsar: Although travel between India and Pakistan remains suspended, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has started preparations to send a Sikh pilgrims’ jatha (delegation) to Pakistan on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Purab. As part of the process, SGPC has invited passport submissions from interested devotees by August 4.
SGPC Secretary Pratap Singh stated that the jatha will be sent to Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib in Pakistan this November, marking the birth anniversary celebrations of the First Sikh Guru. He added that the SGPC has begun the visa application process, and devotees wishing to be part of this historic pilgrimage must submit their passports along with a recommendation letter from their local SGPC member by the deadline.
Additionally, devotees must attach a photocopy of a valid ID proof, such as Aadhaar card or Voter ID, along with their passport.
Travel and trade ties through the Attari-Wagah border were completely shut down by the Indian government after the Pahalgam terror attack. Consequently, Sikh pilgrims were also unable to visit Pakistan on the occasions of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary and Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s Shaheedi Purab earlier this year.
Despite the continuing border restrictions, SGPC is hopeful that the upcoming Guru Nanak Dev Ji Parkash Purab will see renewed religious access to the historic Sikh shrines in Pakistan.
