The central government Thursday allowed the members of the Sikh community to visit Pakistan in November for the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, reversing the restriction placed following Operation Sindoor. According to a communication by the Ministry of Home Affairs, “The Government has decided to allow travel of Sikh Jathas to Pakistan on the occasion of birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji”. The communication, which coming fallowing several appeals from Sikh organizations and leaders, however, outlines that only “duly-filled in applications sponsored by Sikh religious organisations in their jurisdiction” will be accepted by states and Union Territories. Further, each application will undergo review by the state police, CID, and Intelligence Agencies, “in consultation with the Central Security Agency, before being forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs by October 22, 2025”. An official source in the MHA said, “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.” “No other person, even if he is holding a valid visa to Pakistan, shall be allowed to travel,” the source added. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Akal Takht welcomed the decision to allow Sikh jatha to visit gurdwaras in Pakistan on the occasion of Parkash Purb of the founder of Sikhism. "The SGPC appreciates this decision," its president Harjinder Singh Dhami said. He said the Parkash purb of Guru Nanak Dev, the first of the ten Sikh gurus, holds great significance not only for the community but for the entire humanity. On this sacred occasion, Sikh devotees have a deep emotional desire to pay obeisance at the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev, Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. He added that the earlier decision to "restrict" the jatha had caused disappointment among the 'Sangat', following which the SGPC had appealed to the government to reconsider. In this regard, a letter had also been written by SGPC to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on September 29, and it is satisfying that the government has paid attention to it, the SGPC chief mentioned in the statement. He further said that every year, Sikh devotees submit their passports with high hopes of joining this pilgrimage, but when reports emerge about restrictions, it deeply hurts their religious sentiments. The SGPC president also appealed to the government to reopen the Kartarpur corridor. The Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of the Sikh community, also praised the Centre's decision to allow the annual Sikh jatha to visit Sri Nankana Sahib and other historic shrines in Pakistan. Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, the officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, termed it as the fulfilment of the prayers of the Sikh community. In an official statement, he said that it was commendable that the Centre has reconsidered its September 12 decision and has now approved to send the jatha. Jathedar Gargajj emphasised that jathas must continue to visit gurdwaras in Pakistan regularly, as this helps strengthen communal harmony and improve relations between the two nations. He also reiterated calls to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, highlighting its importance for Sikhs globally and urging both governments to prioritize dialogue, peace, and mutual respect in cross-border matters. Last month, political leaders in Punjab, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, criticised the Centre following an advisory stating that it would not be possible to send the Sikh jatha to Pakistan in November, given the prevailing security scenario with Pakistan. Mann had then slammed the BJP-led Centre for giving its nod to the Asia Cup T20 cricket match between India and Pakistan, but denying permission to send a Sikh jatha to the neighbouring country. Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, too, had sought a review of the Centre's advisory.
