Key points
- Group comprises 160 tourists
- Sikh community members welcomed
- Pakistan offers online visas for Sikhs from the US, UK, Canada
ISLAMABAD: A group of 160 tourists from the Sikh community from the United States (US) and other countries is set to embark on a journey to Pakistan, the Pakistan Consulate General in Los Angeles has announced.
“We welcome the 160-member group of tourists from the Sikh community visiting Pakistan from the USA and other places. It will be an exciting trip with sports and cultural events combined with a pilgrimage to religious places. Welcome to Pakistan,” the consulate wrote on X.
We welcome the 160- member group of tourists from Sikh community visiting Pakistan from USA and other places. It will be an exciting trip with sports and cultural events combined with pilgrimage to religious places. Welcome to Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/c0wAdevYmC
— Pakistan Consulate General Los Angeles (@PakinLosAngeles) February 1, 2025
“Visas within 30 minutes”
In November, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Sikh pilgrims from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada will receive free online visas within 30 minutes upon arrival in the country, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Interior Ministry.
Three days prior to the announcement, Naqvi met a 44-member foreign delegation of Sikh pilgrims in Lahore.
The minister warmly welcomed the Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan. He acknowledged that the Sikh pilgrims faced difficulties while visiting Pakistan in the past. However, the country has introduced a new visa regime to address the challenges.
The delegation thanked Naqvi for Pakistan’s hospitality and appreciated the ease of online visa processing, saying, “We appreciate your efforts. You have won our hearts.”
3,000 visas
Also in November last year, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued over 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji – the founder of Sikhism.
We appreciate your efforts. You have won our hearts.” – Sikh delegation visiting Pakistan
Sikh pilgrims visit Pakistan to pay homage to several holy sites associated with the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Some of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Pakistan include Nankana Sahib – The birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji; Kartarpur Sahib – The final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Panja Sahib – A sacred site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s handprint is believed to be imprinted on a rock.
These sites hold immense religious significance for Sikhs, and visiting them is considered a spiritual journey.
