Pakistani Sikh Leaders Appeal to India for Kartarpur Pilgrimage Permission

Pakistani Sikh leaders and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) appealed to the Indian government on Wednesday to permit Sikh pilgrims to attend the commemorative event for Guru Nanak Dev’s death anniversary at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur on September 22. The request comes amid travel restrictions imposed after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, and led to the closure of the Attari-Wagah border.

ETPB spokesperson Ghulam Mohyuddin emphasized Pakistan's openness to Indian devotees, stating, "Our doors remain open for Sikh pilgrims," and highlighted the inability of Indian Sikhs to visit holy sites since the restrictions.

Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and a Punjab government minister, reiterated the call for allowing devotees to participate in the event marking the 550th death anniversary of Sikhism's founder. Mahesh Singh, the committee's vice president, echoed the demand, underscoring the significance of cross-border pilgrimage for the Sikh community. The event at Kartarpur, where Guru Nanak spent his final years in the early 16th century, draws thousands annually and symbolizes shared heritage between India and Pakistan.

The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated by Pakistan in November 2019, facilitates visa-free access for Indian pilgrims to the 4.1-km stretch from the India-Pakistan border to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, connecting it to Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district. This landmark initiative has enabled over a million visits since its opening, promoting religious harmony despite geopolitical tensions.

The Pahalgam attack, attributed to The Resistance Front (an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba) involving three Pakistani nationals among five terrorists, escalated bilateral strains, resulting in Indian airstrikes on alleged terror camps in Pakistan and a brief ceasefire on May 10, 2025. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged restraint to prevent further escalation.

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The appeal reflects ongoing efforts to maintain people-to-people ties amid security concerns. ETPB, tasked with managing minority religious properties in Pakistan, has historically supported Sikh pilgrimages, including during major events like Guru Nanak's birth anniversary. Sikh leaders hope for a temporary easing of restrictions to honor the occasion, fostering goodwill between the two nations.

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