Pakistan Issues 2100+ Visas for Sikh Pilgrimage to Kartarpur

In anticipation of the Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) celebrations, Pakistan has granted over 2,100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India. The special religious event, marking the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, is scheduled to take place in Pakistan from November 4th to November 13th, 2025. The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi confirmed the issuance of these visas, facilitating a significant religious journey for the Sikh community. This year’s pilgrimage will benefit from the extended five-year validity of the Agreement on Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, signed in 2019. This agreement ensures the smooth operation of the corridor, allowing devotees from India to visit the holy Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. India has previously pushed for the removal of the USD 20 service fee levied by Pakistan on each pilgrim. The Kartarpur Corridor, a landmark initiative, was opened in November 2019, providing visa-free access to the shrine for Indian pilgrims. The shrine, a site of immense spiritual importance, was restored and opened to pilgrims after decades. Although services were temporarily suspended earlier in the year due to security concerns, the focus now returns to facilitating this important religious event.