Around 2,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims enter Pakistan through the Wagah border, marking the first major crossing since the May border conflict between the two countries. The pilgrims arrived to take part in the 10-day celebrations marking the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
Pakistani officials welcomed the pilgrims with rose petals and flowers as they crossed the border carrying luggage. According to Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi, more than 2,100 visas were issued for this pilgrimage. The event highlights Pakistan’s effort to facilitate religious travel despite political tensions.
In May, New Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting a terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people, a claim Pakistan denied. The border had been closed since then. However, authorities reopened it to allow Indian Sikh pilgrims enter Pakistan for the annual festival.
Government official Nasir Mushtaq said reopening the border shows Pakistan’s respect for religious minorities and its desire to strengthen cultural ties. The pilgrims will visit Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, and Kartarpur, where he is buried.
Sikhism began in the 15th century in Punjab, a region divided between India and Pakistan after the 1947 Partition. While most Sikhs live in India, many of their sacred sites remain in Pakistan. This cross-border journey reflects faith, history, and hopes for peace between the two nations.
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