Pakistan Issues Visas to 2,000 Indians Seeking to Attend Sikh Festival... First Since Armed Conflict

Visa Approval Granted Six Months After Armed Clashes in May

Pakistan has approved the issuance of visas for approximately 2,000 Indian Sikhs who wish to enter the country to attend a local religious festival. This move is noteworthy as it comes six months after virtually all exchanges between the two countries were halted following armed clashes in May.

In 2023, Indian Sikhs visiting Pakistan. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

According to AFP and other sources on November 1 (local time), the Pakistan High Commission in India announced that it had issued visas to more than 2,100 Indian Sikhs. While the Indian government has not made an official statement, local media reported that the government would allow selected groups to visit Pakistan.

Starting November 4, Pakistan will host a ten-day festival commemorating the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of Sikhism. Previously, after armed clashes with Pakistan in May, the Indian government restricted its Sikh citizens from attending Guru Nanak's death anniversary event held on September 22. This recent approval marks the first resumption of cross-border travel between the two countries since that suspension.

At the time of the Indian government's restrictions, the Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in Pakistan criticized India's actions, stating that preventing Sikhs from visiting their holy sites was an infringement on religious rights.

AFP also reported that, despite the armed conflict with India, Pakistan has continued to keep open the 'Kartarpur' corridor, a dedicated pilgrimage route for Sikhs crossing the border between the two countries.

Sikhism, which originated in northern India in the 15th century, seeks liberation through personal discipline. It is a syncretic faith blending elements of Hinduism and Islam, with an estimated 30 million followers worldwide. Sikhs play a significant role in India's economy and defense sectors and have aspired to establish a separate nation since India's independence in 1947.

The Sikh independence movement has recently re-emerged, particularly among some extremists. Separatist activities are especially active among Sikhs who have settled abroad to escape repression in India.

Previously, in April, after a shooting attack in Indian-administered Kashmir left 26 tourists and others dead, Pakistan and India exchanged missile strikes in May, but dramatically agreed to a ceasefire after three days.

India accused Pakistan of being behind the Kashmir attack, but Pakistan has categorically denied these allegations.