A group of 1,796 Sikh pilgrims from India is set to travel to Pakistan on November 5 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, visiting several historic gurdwaras as part of the ‘Parkash Purb’ celebrations. The devotees will enter Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border. Many members of the jatha expressed joy and gratitude to the government for allowing the pilgrimage. One pilgrim shared appreciation, saying, “We thank the government for granting us permission to do darshan.”

Another devotee, Harpreet Singh, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to permit the visit, while urging that the visa process be made easier to enable more pilgrims to participate. He remarked, “Even after Operation Sindoor, the yatra continued as normal. We didn’t expect the PM to approve it, but we are thankful. The visa procedure should be simplified so that more people can go.”

Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj, Jathedar of Shri Akal Takhat Sahib, mentioned that most visas for Sikh pilgrims had already been approved and extended thanks to both governments for facilitating the journey. He said, “The jatha is going to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary. They are fortunate to visit places linked to him. This time, most visas have been processed. I thank both governments for their cooperation.”

Earlier, the Pakistan High Commission announced that it had issued over 2,100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the birth celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from November 4 to 13, 2025. On October 3, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa welcomed the Centre’s move to allow Sikh jathas to travel to Pakistan for the occasion, expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister and Home Minister for maintaining faith-based ties despite strained bilateral relations. He recalled, “In 2019, despite tensions, the government opened the Kartarpur shrine for Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Prakash Purab. Once again, the same reverence has been shown by permitting Sikh groups to visit Pakistan. I am deeply thankful.”