WAGAH BORDER/ISLAMABAD — Hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from India crossed into Pakistan on Tuesday to participate in celebrations marking the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of the Sikh faith. This marks the first major cross-border movement since deadly clashes in May forced the closure of the Wagah-Attari land route between the two neighbouring nuclear states.
According to officials, around 2,400 Sikh yatrees were warmly received at the Wagah border by Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Additional Secretary, alongside Punjab’s Minister for Minorities Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora, who welcomed the visiting Jatha. The arriving pilgrims were greeted with flower bouquets and showered with rose petals in a gesture of goodwill.
The pilgrims will visit several sacred sites associated with Guru Nanak’s life, including Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, where the central ceremonies will be held. Despite lingering tensions between Pakistan and India following the worst border skirmishes since 1999 — which left over 70 people dead in May — Islamabad reiterated its commitment to religious openness and people-to-people contact.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a message on the auspicious occasion, extended heartfelt felicitations to the global Sikh community. He described Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji not only as a revered figure of Sikhism but also as a universal spiritual leader who preached peace, equality, tolerance, and compassion for all humanity.
The Prime Minister said Guru Nanak’s timeless teachings of love for mankind, selfless service, and interfaith harmony remain a guiding light for generations. He added that it is a matter of pride for Pakistan that several sacred Gurdwaras linked to Guru Nanak’s life, particularly Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib, are located in the country, and their preservation remains among the government’s top priorities.
Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to protecting the rights of all religious minorities and ensuring full access and facilities for pilgrims visiting their holy sites. He said Pakistan welcomes Sikh pilgrims from across the globe every year and makes the best possible arrangements for their comfort and worship.
The Prime Minister concluded his message by urging all to embrace Guru Nanak’s message of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect to make the world a cradle of unity and harmony.
