The Punjab Home Department has announced extensive security arrangements to ensure the safety of thousands of Sikh pilgrims arriving from across the world, including India, for the upcoming Baisakhi Festival. The celebrations, scheduled from April 10 to 19, will see around 30,000 Sikh pilgrims, including 3,000 from India, visiting Pakistan to participate in religious events and visit sacred sites such as Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur Sahib.
Authorities have issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) directing three-tier security measures at sensitive locations, installation of walk-through gates, CCTV cameras, and searchlights at all Gurdwaras. Police and Rangers will jointly manage pilgrim movement, while power companies have been instructed to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. District administrations have been ordered to clear encroachments around Gurdwaras immediately.
Intelligence committee meetings will be held at divisional and district levels to finalize arrangements, with combing operations conducted in relevant areas beforehand. The Special Branch and other agencies will monitor Gurdwara premises, and pilgrims will be restricted to designated zones for their safety. Control rooms will be established in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Narowal, linked to a central command.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued over 6,500 visas to Indian pilgrims for the festival, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to promoting interfaith harmony. Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich emphasized that the visa policy aims to strengthen people-to-people ties and facilitate religious tourism.
This comes in contrast to India’s restrictive approach, as New Delhi recently denied visas to 400 Pakistani pilgrims for the Urs at Ajmer Sharif, approving only 100 against the allocated quota of 500. Under the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, Pakistan regularly facilitates Indian pilgrims, while Indian authorities have often been reluctant to reciprocate.
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) will coordinate logistics, with deputy commissioners and police officials ensuring strict adherence to security protocols. Customs and immigration counters will expedite clearance, while Railway Police will safeguard pilgrims during train travel.
The Baisakhi festival remains a significant event for Sikh devotees, and Pakistan’s efforts to ensure a secure and welcoming environment highlight its dedication to fostering religious and cultural exchanges.
Also read: 3 Days Kailash Ice and Snow Festival attracts tourists despite chilly weather
