Pakistan has cleared 737 Indian Sikh pilgrims to attend a religious festival marking the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
Pakistan has issued 737 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims so they can attend the annual festival held on the eve of the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru. The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi confirmed the figure in a statement, and the festival runs in Pakistan from June 10 to June 19, 2026.
The Charge d’Affaires of Pakistan to India, Saad Ahmad Warraich, extended his felicitations to the pilgrims and wished them a fulfilling yatra. The High Commission said the visas were granted in line with Pakistan’s commitment to the 1974 Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines. That agreement governs religious travel between the two countries and sets out the shrines that pilgrims from either side may visit. Indian Sikh devotees travel to Pakistan several times a year under the protocol to observe major occasions in the Sikh calendar.
Indian Sikh Pilgrims to Visit Historic Gurdwaras
The pilgrims will travel to several historic Sikh shrines during their stay. According to the Pakistan High Commission, the group will visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Nankana Sahib marks the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, while Kartarpur Sahib stands at the site where he spent the final years of his life. These sites draw devotees from across the world throughout the year.
The main commemorative events tied to the martyrdom anniversary take place at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore. Thousands of devotees gather at the shrine for the ceremony, and hundreds of Indian pilgrims cross the border to join them. Pakistan holds some of the holiest sites in Sikhism, and the government has taken steps in recent years to improve access for visiting pilgrims, particularly those traveling from India.
The visa count this year falls below the previous total. Pakistan issued 962 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for the same festival in 2024. The numbers shift each year based on the applications submitted and processed ahead of the event.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji Martyrdom Day
Guru Arjan Dev Ji served as the fifth Sikh Guru and is remembered as the first martyr in Sikh history. He compiled the Adi Granth, the foundational scripture of the faith, and oversaw the completion of the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, the shrine now known as the Golden Temple. His work shaped the religious and institutional foundations of the Sikh community.
Sikh historical accounts state that he attained martyrdom on June 16, 1606, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The accounts say he faced severe persecution after refusing to abandon the spiritual path established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He was subjected to intense torture before being taken to a river, where he disappeared from view.
Sikhs around the world observe June 16 each year as his Martyrdom Day. His sacrifice is widely regarded as a defining moment in the development of the faith and a turning point in the history of the Sikh community.
