The Centre has allowed Sikh pilgrimage groups (jathas) to visit Pakistan for Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary (Parkash Purb), reversing an earlier ban due to security concerns. While reviewing the September 12 restriction, the government acknowledged the pilgrimage’s religious and cultural importance. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) warned that security risks still exist and asked travelers to be very careful.
In a letter to chief secretaries, the MHA said this permission is only for this occasion and comes with strict rules including all applications must be sponsored by Sikh religious organisations, checked by intelligence agencies, and final lists must be sent to the MHA by October 22.
Travel will be allowed only for those who have a Pakistan visa and are recommended by the MHA and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as part of MHA-approved jathas through the Attari ICP.
Final checkpoint: Only pilgrims recommended by MHA and MEA to be granted passage
An official source in MHA told The Indian Express that “Only such pilgrims who have been recommended to the MHA and the Ministry of External Affairs, and who have been granted visa by Pakistan shall be allowed passage as Sikh Jatha member via Attari.” The source further added that that any other person even if he holding a valid visa to Pakistan will not be allowed to travel there.
Sikh bodies including SGPC, Akal Takht welcome move
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht have welcomed the government’s decision to allow Sikh pilgrimage groups (jathas) to visit gurdwaras in Pakistan for the Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said the Parkash Purb holds great importance not only for Sikhs but for all of humanity. He noted that on this holy occasion, devotees have a strong desire to visit Guru Nanak Dev’s birthplace at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.
Dhami added that the earlier decision to restrict the jatha had disappointed the Sikh community, leading the SGPC to appeal to the government to reconsider. The SGPC had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 29, and it is satisfying that the government has now responded positively.
He further noted that every year, devotees submit their passports hoping to join the pilgrimage, and reports of restrictions deeply hurt their religious sentiments. Dhami also urged the government to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor.
The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority of the Sikh community, also praised the Centre’s decision. Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, the officiating Jathedar, said the approval fulfills the prayers of the Sikh community. He welcomed the reversal of the September 12 decision and stressed that jathas should continue visiting gurdwaras in Pakistan regularly, as this strengthens communal harmony and improves India-Pakistan relations.
Jathedar Gargajj also repeated the call to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, highlighting its global importance for Sikhs and urging both governments to prioritize dialogue, peace, and mutual respect in cross-border matters.
Last month, Punjab political leaders, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, criticised the Centre after it issued an advisory saying that sending the Sikh jatha to Pakistan in November would not be possible due to security concerns. Mann had objected to the government allowing the Asia Cup T20 match between India and Pakistan but denying permission for the pilgrimage.
Punjab Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had also urged the Centre to review its advisory.