Pilgrims from Canada, UK, US, and Australia also participate in annual Guru Nanak birth anniversary celebrations.

HASAN ABDAL / KARTARPUR: Around 2,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims safely returned to Kartarpur after completing rituals at Gurdwara Panja Sahib during the 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak. The three-day event, held from November 4 to 13, marked a significant religious gathering, attracting devotees from India as well as Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued over 2,100 visas under the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines (1974), enabling cross-border participation. The first batch of nearly 700 pilgrims was welcomed with flower garlands and escorted under strict security to the gurdwara. Deputy Commissioner Attock and District Police Officer Sardar Moazzam Khan were present to oversee arrangements.

Minority Affairs Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora visited Panja Sahib along with Giani Kuldip Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht. Arora emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to religious freedom for minorities, while noting India’s closure of the Kartarpur Corridor since May 7, calling the corridor “a historic gift from Pakistan to Sikhs.”

The three-day religious observances included Akhand Paath, Bhog ceremonies, Matha Tekna, and Shabad Kirtan, with ritual baths performed in the holy pond at Panja Sahib. Gurdwaras across Nankana Sahib, Hassan Abdal, and Kartarpur were adorned with flowers, banners, and flags, creating a vibrant festive environment.

Security and logistical arrangements were meticulously handled by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), and local administration. Over 3,000 police personnel were deployed, roads were sealed, and nearby markets remained closed to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

Following the celebrations, Indian pilgrims were transported under tight security in special buses to Kartarpur, marking the first major cross-border religious movement since the May 2025 conflict that temporarily closed the Wagah-Attari border. This pilgrimage contrasts with September’s restriction, when Indian pilgrims were barred from attending Guru Nanak’s 486th death anniversary.

Jathedar Singh highlighted the deep spiritual and emotional bond the Sikh community shares with Pakistan, reinforcing the significance of interfaith harmony through religious observances.