Sikh visitors arrive in Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi Mela

Sikh pilgrims have started arriving Pakistan to attend the 326th Baisakhi Mela, which begins today and will continue till April 19.

The mela will host 20,000 local pilgrims, 3,000 from the diaspora and 7,000 pilgrims from India and other countries.

Pakistan has made strong security arrangements to protect the thousands of Sikh pilgrims arriving from across the world for the Baisakhi Festival. Many pilgrims from India have already started coming through the Wagah Border to join the celebrations.

At the border, Secretary of the Evacuee Property Trust Board, Farid Iqbal, warmly welcomed the arriving pilgrims.

In a historic step toward interfaith harmony, Pakistan has granted 6,629 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for Baisakhi 2025. This is more than double the usual number and marks the biggest increase in over 50 years. The move reflects Pakistan’s dedication to religious freedom and peaceful regional relations.

The visas will allow Sikh devotees to visit some of their holiest sites in Pakistan, including Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

This record-setting initiative stands as a beacon of spiritual diplomacy in a region often mired in political strife. While tensions between India and Pakistan persist, Pakistan’s gesture has garnered international recognition for placing cultural and religious values above political divides. At a time when India is tightening its visa policies, particularly for religious minorities, Pakistan’s open-handed approach has been seen as a powerful contrast and a statement of intent for interfaith outreach.