Sikh Pilgrims Head to Pakistan for Gurpurab Celebrations

Over 2,100 Indian Sikh pilgrims have received visas from Pakistan for the upcoming Guru Nanak Jayanti, or Gurpurab, celebrations. The pilgrimage, set for November 4-13, 2025, will allow devotees to participate in the birth anniversary commemorations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Pakistan. The visa approval was announced by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. This development comes as the bilateral agreement for the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has been extended for an additional five years. This corridor, operational since October 2019, facilitates Indian pilgrims’ visits to the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. India has consistently advocated for Pakistan to eliminate pilgrim fees, urging the removal of the $20 service charge. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the corridor in November 2019, enabling visa-free access for Indian Sikhs to the shrine, which had been inaccessible from India since the 1947 partition. The corridor’s services were briefly halted earlier this year following security-related incidents. Recent reports also highlighted concerns about potential anti-India narratives being promoted during the pilgrimage, though inter-agency discussions reportedly saw opposition to such proposals from religious bodies concerned about the financial implications and potential suspension of visits.