Pakistan has issued 737 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for the annual observance of the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The pilgrims are expected to visit Pakistan from June 10 to June 19 under arrangements made in accordance with the 1974 bilateral protocol on religious shrine visits…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Pakistan has issued 737 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims to enable their participation in events marking the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from June 10 to June 19.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi through a post on X. The mission said that the visas had been issued to facilitate the participation of Indian pilgrims in the annual observances commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
“The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 737 visas to pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled on the eve of Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjun Dev Ji to be held in Pakistan from 10-19 June 2026,” the mission said.
The pilgrimage is part of the regular religious visits undertaken by Sikh devotees to gurdwaras in Pakistan associated with Sikh history and heritage. Pakistan said the issuance of visas reflects its commitment to implementing the 1974 Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, an agreement that facilitates pilgrim visits from both countries to religious sites across the border.
Every year, significant numbers of Indian Sikh pilgrims travel to Pakistan to participate in religious festivals and commemorative events. According to official figures, Pakistan issued 962 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims in 2024 for the same occasion.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, is regarded as a central figure in Sikh history. Historical accounts record that he attained martyrdom on June 16, 1606, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Sikhs around the world observe the anniversary each year as Martyrdom Day.
He is revered as the first martyr in Sikh history, and his sacrifice is considered a defining moment in the development of the Sikh faith. Sikh tradition holds that before his martyrdom, the religion primarily emphasised devotion, service, compassion, hard work and peaceful coexistence. The teachings of the Sikh Gurus focused on belief in one God, humanitarian values and harmony among communities.
The martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji is commemorated by Sikh communities worldwide and remains one of the most significant events in the Sikh religious calendar. The annual pilgrimage to Pakistan provides devotees with an opportunity to visit historic shrines associated with Sikh heritage and to participate in religious observances linked to his life and legacy.
