Pakistan Issues 2,800 Visas to Indian Sikh Pilgrims for Baisakhi

Pakistan has issued more than 2,800 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India for the upcoming Baisakhi celebrations starting on April 10.

According to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), the visas were issued for pilgrims travelling to Pakistan to attend the 327th Khalsa Janamdin celebrations.

Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is celebrated on the first day of the Vaisakh month and marks the beginning of the harvest season for the Sikh community.

Pilgrims to arrive via Wagah Border

Officials said the pilgrims will arrive in Lahore through the Wagah Border on April 10, while the festival will continue until April 19.

More than 26,000 Sikh pilgrims from around the world are expected to participate in the celebrations. The main ceremony will take place on April 14 at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, one of Sikhism’s most sacred sites.

327 واں وساکھی فیسٹیول 10 سے 19 اپریل تک جاری رہے گا؛ دنیا بھر سے 26 ہزار یاتریوں کی آمد متوقع، تمام انتظامات مکمل۔ چیئرمین کابینہ کمیٹی برائے امن و امان خواجہ سلمان رفیق نے محکمہ داخلہ میں وساکھی فیسٹیول کے حوالے سے اعلیٰ سطحی جائزہ اجلاس کی صدارت کی اور کہا کہ اپنی روایات کے… pic.twitter.com/ipVBhmInUL

— Home Department Punjab (@homedptpunjab) April 7, 2026

Security and facilities arranged

A meeting was held at the Punjab Home Department to review security and hospitality arrangements for the visiting pilgrims.

The meeting was chaired by Home Secretary Ahmad Javed Qazi and Khawaja Salman Rafique, who also heads the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order.

Authorities said comprehensive security measures, accommodation, clean drinking water, air-conditioning, bedding, and washroom facilities have been arranged at gurdwaras and residential sites.

ETPB Additional Secretary Nasir Mushtaq said security will include CCTV monitoring, intelligence-based operations, and temporary installations at religious sites.

Kartarpur Corridor remains closed

Following tensions between India and Pakistan in May last year, the Kartarpur Corridor remains closed from the Indian side. While India cites security concerns, Pakistan says it has kept the corridor open and has urged India to reopen it.

Last November, however, the Indian government allowed Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan for religious events after protests from the Sikh community.