Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary: Visa denied to around 50% pilgrims from SGPC quota

Meanwhile, the Pakistan High Commission in India posted on X, “On the occasion of the 554th Birthday Celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi issued around 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend the event scheduled to be held in Pakistan from 25 November to 04 December 2023. During the visit, the pilgrims, inter alia, would go to Dera Sahib, Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib. Expressing his views on the occasion, Charge d’Affaires, Mr. Aizaz Khan, extended his heartfelt felicitations to the pilgrims and wished them a safe journey.”

Dhami, however, said that the SGPC, which manages gurdwaras in India, always sends passports according to the allocated quota for Punjab, but it is disheartening that this time visas for approximately 50 per cent of devotees have been rejected.

“We emphasise the need for special attention from the governments of both countries in this matter,” said Dhami.

The SGPC chief said that during his last visit to Pakistan, he brought the issue before the Pakistan authorities who had assured him of addressing the matter with due diligence.

Every November, scores of Sikhs from India cross over to Pakistan to visit Hasan Abdal city in the Punjab province to celebrate the birth anniversary of the first Sikh guru at his birthplace in Nankana Sahib.