Pakistan unexpectedly allows more than 6,500 Indian Sikh pilgrims to the 326th Wais Festival, causing material and technical and diplomatic problems.
Pakistan lifts his eyebrows, unilaterally issuing 6,500 visas Indian Sikh pilgrims
Ahead of the 326th Woisah Festival, Pakistan made a strange message. His ownership of the evacuation (ETPB) said he expected about 7,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit Vishai’s celebrations this year. This is unusual because only about 3,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims are usually allowed to travel to Pakistan for religious events such as vaisahs, according to the long -standing agreement between India and Pakistan.
Such an agreement goes back to the first years after India and Pakistan became separate countries. Then the leaders of Jawharlal Nera from India and Likaak Ali Khan from Pakistan agreed to facilitate religious minorities to visit important religious places across the border. Their goal was to ensure that people could watch major festivals, even when the cult places were in another country.
However, this year’s ETPB report does not mention the official increase in Visa quota. It only states that Pakistan expects 7,000 pilgrims to arrive. Meanwhile, the Verkhovna Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi said in a press release that they had already issued more than 6,500 visas to Indian pilgrims. These pilgrims will visit holy places, such as Gurdwar Panja Sakhib, Gurdwar Nanjan Sakhib and Gurdwar Cartarpur Sakhib during the festival, which will take place from 10 to 19 April 2025.
In previous years, the Sikh groups suggested providing the passport data about two months in advance, but this sudden increase caused concern. Professor Sarhand Singh, Sikh Community leader from Amritsar, welcomed this step in the spirit, but warned that the location, travel and security mechanisms could be difficult with such a short message.
However, the Pakistan government claims that they are fully prepared. Officials instructed the local authorities in Lahora, Ravalpindi and Gujranwali to make sure that living and safety is properly organized. On April 13, the main event in Gurdwar Panja Sahib in Hassan Abdal will take place.
Despite these drugs, many experts remain cautious. In the past, pilgrims have experienced problems such as overcrowding, poor sanitation and limited medical institutions. Now, with an increase in almost 4000 additional pilgrims, there is a concern about whether everything will go smoothly.
Experts against India and Pakistan also raised questions. They wonder whether Pakistan produces this gesture only once, whether it plans to expand similar hospitality for pilgrims from other Indian communities in the future. Some believe that this step may be more about politics than kindness.
As the festival of the Waisachi, which in 1699 honors the formation of Hals Guru Hobinda Singh, is approaching, thousands of Indian Sikhs seek to visit holy places in Pakistan. Now all eyes refer to how both countries run this spiritual journey.
