Seeks Visas for Maximum Number of Sikh Pilgrims for Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parkash Gurpurab
Kumar Soni
Amritsar, August 18: A high-level delegation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), led by its President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, today met Janab Shayed Ahmad Waraich, Chief Officer at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. The delegation urged the High Commission to issue visas liberally to Sikh pilgrims travelling to Pakistan in November to attend the celebrations marking the Parkash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. A written memorandum in this regard was also submitted to the High Commission.
The delegation accompanying SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami included SGPC member Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president S. Paramjit Singh Sarna, S. Manjit Singh G.K., Secretary S. Balwinder Singh Kahalwaan and Manager S. Rajinder Singh Ruby.
Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said that every Sikh cherishes the desire to participate in the religious celebrations being held at Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib on the occasion of the Parkash Gurpurab of the First Patshah, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Keeping this sentiment in view, the Pakistan High Commission should issue visas to pilgrims with an open and generous approach.
He said that under the agreements between the governments of India and Pakistan, the SGPC sends a Sikh pilgrims’ jatha to Pakistan every year. Normally, the Pakistan High Commission issues visas to around 1,800 pilgrims forwarded by the SGPC for this pilgrimage.
He said that the denial of visas to privately organised Sikh groups in recent times, along with the closure of the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, has further intensified the desire among the Sikh community to visit historic gurdwaras in Pakistan. As a result, more than 7,500 Sikh pilgrims have already deposited their passports with the SGPC office to travel to Pakistan in November 2026 for the Parkash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
He said that this number is not merely a figure, but reflects the deep devotion and emotional bond of the Sikh community with Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the historic gurdwaras situated in Pakistan.
Advocate Dhami said that, keeping in view the religious sentiments of the Sikh community, the Pakistan High Commission has been requested to rise above the prescribed quota and make special arrangements to issue visas to all the more than 7,500 Sikh pilgrims being forwarded by the SGPC.
He said that Sikh pilgrims undertake this journey with religious devotion, to pay obeisance at historic gurdwaras and to connect with the sacred history associated with Guru Sahib. Therefore, the Government of Pakistan and its High Commission should consider the matter from the perspective of the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
He expressed hope that the Pakistan High Commission, understanding the religious sentiments of the Sikh community, would take a positive decision to grant visas to the maximum possible number of Sikh pilgrims on this special occasion. This would enable the pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib and other historic gurdwaras in Pakistan and participate in the Parkash Gurpurab celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji with devotion.
The SGPC President also appealed to the Government of India to take up the matter effectively with the Government of Pakistan and make efforts to facilitate the visit of the maximum number of Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan. He further urged the Government of India to immediately reopen the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, keeping in view the sentiments of the Sikh community.
On the occasion, Advocate Dhami also honoured the officials of the Pakistan High Commission by presenting them with a golden model of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and a shawl as a memento.
RSS FEED