Pakistan opens doors wider to Sikh pilgrims with visa-free entry offer

ISLAMABAD (Zubair Kasuri): In a move aimed at facilitating religious tourism, the Pakistani government has announced a significant liberalization of its visa policy for Sikh pilgrims worldwide.

Effective immediately, all Sikhs holding passports and visas from third countries will be granted a free visa within 24 hours upon arrival in Pakistan, according to security sources and confirmed by sources within the Ministry of Interior.

This landmark decision follows allegations that the Indian government has been obstructing millions of Sikhs from visiting their holy sites located in Pakistan.

By implementing a visa-on-arrival (VOA) and free visa policy for Third Country National Sikhs, Islamabad aims to streamline the pilgrimage process and welcome a greater number of devotees to the country.

The Ministry of Interior has reportedly undertaken substantial reforms within its visa section, specifically concerning Sikh religious sites. These reforms extend the offer of free visa access to individuals from over 126 nations, demonstrating a commitment to making Pakistan’s rich Sikh heritage more accessible globally.

This initiative builds upon previous efforts to ease travel for Sikh pilgrims, including the establishment of the Kartarpur Corridor and recent announcements of expedited visa processing for Sikhs from the UK, US, and Canada. The new policy, however, appears to be the most comprehensive yet, potentially allowing Sikhs from any third country to undertake pilgrimage with significantly reduced bureaucratic hurdles.

Pakistan is home to numerous highly revered Sikh shrines, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji; Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, his final resting place; and Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, known for the sacred rock bearing Guru Nanak’s handprint.

Other significant sites include Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore and Gurdwara Rori Sahib in Eminabad.

Sources suggest that Pakistan hopes this open-door policy will significantly increase the annual influx of Sikh pilgrims, potentially reaching up to one million visitors, with a particular focus on attracting younger generations to connect with their religious roots. This move is also seen as a potential boost to religious tourism and the local economy.

While details regarding the exact implementation and required documentation for the visa-on-arrival are still emerging, the announcement has been met with anticipation by Sikh communities worldwide who may now find it considerably easier to undertake pilgrimages to their holy sites in Pakistan.

The Pakistani government’s initiative marks a significant step in fostering religious exchange and potentially improving cross-border relations by prioritizing the spiritual needs of the global Sikh community.