Only 763 out of 2,244 pilgrims receive visas for Prakash Purb pilgrimage to Pakistan, SGPC raises objection

Amritsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has expressed strong disapproval over the denial of visas to a significant number of Sikh pilgrims planning to visit Pakistan for the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

According to Dhami, the SGPC had submitted 2,244 passports to the Pakistan Embassy in Delhi, yet only 763 visas were approved, leaving 1,481 applications denied. He emphasized that in previous years, the SGPC consistently received visas aligning with the pilgrimage quota.

“This time, however, a large number of devotees have been denied visas, which has deeply hurt sentiments,” Dhami said, urging both governments to address the issue.

Dhami also highlighted that he had previously raised this concern with both governments, but this year’s visa denials are unprecedented. He reaffirmed SGPC’s commitment to bringing the matter to the attention of both Indian and Pakistani authorities.

The Sikh jatha is scheduled to depart for Pakistan on November 14, 2024, traveling via the Wagah border to Sri Nankana Sahib, where it will partake in the birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 15.

The pilgrims are expected to return to India on November 23, after visiting several gurdwaras.