Pakistan refuses visas to over 1,400 pilgrims heading to Nankana Sahib

Pakistan (The Uttam Hindu): The Pakistan High Commission in India has reportedly denied 1,481 visa applications, blocking many devotees from attending the celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birth anniversary at Nankana Sahib, his birthplace in Pakistan. The occasion of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Prakash Purab, one of the most important religious events for Sikhs, is celebrated with great reverence at Nankana Sahib, where thousands of pilgrims from around the world gather to pay their respects.

For this year’s Prakash Purab, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in Amritsar submitted a total of 2,244 passport applications from Indian pilgrims wishing to visit Pakistan for the occasion. However, despite the large number of applications, the Pakistan High Commission approved only 763 visas. This has left over 1,400 devotees unable to travel, creating disappointment and frustration among the Sikh community.

The visa denial comes at a time of heightened expectations for peaceful religious exchanges between India and Pakistan. While the Pakistani government has made efforts in the past to facilitate such pilgrimages, the low approval rate this year has raised concerns about the future of these visits. Many pilgrims and religious leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction, calling for a review of the visa process to ensure that more devotees can fulfill their spiritual obligations. As of now, those who were denied visas will miss out on attending the sacred event at Nankana Sahib, which holds immense significance in Sikh history and spirituality.