Sikh pilgrims start arriving Pakistan to attend 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.

The Punjab Home Department has made comprehensive security measures to ensure the safety of thousands of Sikh pilgrims arriving from around the world for Baisakhi Festival.

Sikh pilgrims from India have started arriving in Pakistan through the Wagah Border to take part in the Baisakhi Festival celebrations.

Secretary Evacuee Property Trust Board Farid Iqbal welcomed the pilgrims at the Wagah Check Post.

In a landmark act of interfaith diplomacy, Pakistan has issued 6,629 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for Baisakhi 2025—more than double the usual annual quota.

This unprecedented move marks the first such surge in over five decades and underscores Pakistan’s commitment to religious freedom and regional harmony.

The visas allow thousands of yatrees to visit some of the most sacred Sikh 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.