Nearly 6,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims arrive in Pakistan for Baisakhi festival

As many as 5,890 Sikh pilgrims from India have arrived in Pakistan to take part in the annual Baisakhi festival, which is being observed from April 10 to April 19, 2025.

The highlight of the 326th Baisakhi Mela will be the Khalsa Birth Day ceremony, scheduled for April 14 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.

Currently, religious rites are underway at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal, where festivities are being organized by the Abandoned Waqf Property Board.

According to board spokesperson Saifullah Khokhar, the first group of pilgrims -- travelling in 60 buses -- reached Hassan Abdal from Wagah. Meanwhile, another group arrived late last night at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, where they were received by officials from the Awqaf department and local administration.

As per the itinerary, the pilgrims will spend Friday night in Hassan Abdal before heading to Nankana Sahib on April 12 under tight security.

Gurdwara Janam Asthan and surrounding sites have been illuminated with decorative lights in preparation for the celebrations.

Pilgrims have praised the Pakistani government for its arrangements and warm hospitality, calling the experience memorable.

Earlier this week, the Punjab Home Department outlined security measures to ensure the safety of Sikh pilgrims attending the festival.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board announced the issuance of 3,751 special visas to Indian pilgrims this year, a rise from the usual 3,000, to accommodate the growing number of visitors.

Pilgrims are restricted to designated areas and residential zones, with police and district administration control rooms linked to a central command. Additional control rooms have been established in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Narowal.