For the first time in history since Partition, Pakistan has issued a record 6,751 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for Baisakhi celebrations marking Khalsa Foundation Day at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib. This is the largest number of visas to Indian devotees since 1947, twice as many as the 3,000 provided under the Nehru-Liaquat Pact of 1950. The first batch of pilgrims entered Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border on Thursday morning and was received by Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) officials. Pilgrims from 14 Indian states, such as Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, are among those making up the jatha that will mark the historic occasion.

Preparation Underway For Historic Celebration

The unprecedented turnout has compelled the PSGPC to change the initial schedule. The Indian pilgrims have been split into two groups to streamline the crowds better. One of the groups will go to Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, and the other will proceed towards Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur. Both groups will be together at Nankana Sahib on April 14 to celebrate the major Baisakhi festival. Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs and PSGPC President Ramesh Singh Arora thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and the Foreign Ministry for accommodating the large number of pilgrims.

"This is a historic move. Like the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, it reflects Pakistan's commitment to religious harmony," Arora said. He said that free online visas have also been granted to pilgrims from nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, which increases the projected number of devotees to almost 20,000.After the celebrations, Indian pilgrims will return to Lahore on April 17 and depart for India via the Wagah border on April 19.