NANKANA SAHIB: In a powerful display of religious tolerance and cross-border brotherhood, over 300 Indian Sikh pilgrims arrived in Pakistan to participate in the death anniversary ceremonies of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Pakistani officials promised a safe and hospitable environment for religious tourism, while the visiting devotees warmly praised the country’s commitment to interfaith harmony and the preservation of Sikh heritage.
The pilgrims, who crossed the Wagah border in multiple groups over the past two days, offered religious rituals and prayers at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib on Monday, the revered birthplace of Guru Nanak. The spiritual atmosphere at the historic shrine moved the devotees, who performed their religious rites with deep reverence and devotion.
A second group of 337 Sikh pilgrims from India entered Pakistan via the Wagah border on Sunday to participate in events marking the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The main ceremonies will be held on June 29 at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.
Upon arrival, the… pic.twitter.com/RanO6bD8lC
— Voicepk.net (@voicepkdotnet) June 22, 2026
The Sikh pilgrims will participate in the Bhog Akhand Path Sahib ceremony tomorrow, a significant religious ritual marking the conclusion of the continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib.
After completing their visit to Nankana Sahib, the pilgrims will proceed to Gurdwara Sacha Sauda in Farooqabad, after which they will depart for Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, one of the most sacred Sikh shrines in Pakistan, believed to bear the handprint of Guru Nanak.
A second group of 337 Indian Sikh pilgrims arrived in Pakistan via Wagah Border to participate in the death anniversary commemorations of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Officials of ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee warmly welcomed the pilgrims upon their arrival. pic.twitter.com/JNOUBO7wRX
— Press Information Department (PID), Lahore (@LahorePress) June 21, 2026
Earlier, a second group of 337 Indian Sikhs arrived in the country through the Wagah border on Sunday to participate in the Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary events. The main ceremonies marking the Maharaja’s death anniversary will be held on June 29 at the historic Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, where the legendary Sikh ruler’s ashes are enshrined.
‘Pakistan is committed to preserving minority worship places’: officials assure pilgrims
On their arrival, the Sikh visitors were warmly welcomed by officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC). The reception was attended by ETPB Chairman Qamarul Zaman, Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq, PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Deputy Secretary Shrines Faraz Abbas and other officials.
ETPB Chairman Qamarul Zaman said Pakistan is taking practical steps to promote religious tourism and interfaith harmony, adding that Sikh visitors are being provided with a safe, peaceful and friendly environment during their stay.
LAHORE: A group of 337 Indian Sikh pilgrims arrived in Pakistan through the Wagah Border to participate in the 187th death anniversary celebrations of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The pilgrims were welcomed by Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora and other… pic.twitter.com/cq7y39Rvsv
— Asif Mehmood (@imasifmehmood) June 21, 2026
He emphasised that the board remained committed to the preservation and improvement of minority worship places across the country, ensuring that all religious communities can practice their faith freely.
PSGPC President Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said the ETPB had made excellent arrangements for the accommodation and travel of the visiting Sikhs. He expressed satisfaction that a large number of young Sikhs are also participating in the event, indicating a growing interest among the younger generation in their religious heritage.
Additional Secretary Shrines Nasir Mushtaq said comprehensive arrangements had been made for the visitors, including special security, transportation, accommodation, free food and medical assistance. Rescue 1122 vehicles and ambulances have also been deployed with the visitors’ convoy to handle any medical emergencies, ensuring the safety and well-being of the pilgrims throughout their journey.
‘Pakistan playing commendable role in promoting religious freedom’: Sikh leaders praise arrangements
Representatives of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee appreciated the reception and arrangements made for them, thanking the Pakistan government for its exceptional hospitality.
They said Pakistan is playing a commendable role in promoting religious freedom and interfaith harmony, and that the warm welcome extended to them reflects the country’s deep respect for Sikh heritage and minority rights.
A second batch of over three hundred and thirty Indian Sikh Yatrees arrived in Pakistan today to participate in the ceremonies of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary @ForeignOfficePk #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/EeqKlGmYJU pic.twitter.com/KGb5zFJ81F
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) June 21, 2026
The Sikh leaders noted that the comprehensive arrangements, including special security, free transportation, accommodation, and medical facilities, demonstrate Pakistan’s genuine commitment to facilitating religious tourism. They particularly appreciated the deployment of Rescue 1122 vehicles and ambulances with the pilgrims’ convoy, which ensured their safety throughout the journey.
The representatives expressed hope that such religious exchanges between India and Pakistan would continue, allowing more devotees to visit their sacred shrines in Pakistan. They emphasised that these visits are vital for strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering mutual understanding between the two nations.
A legacy of interfaith harmony and religious coexistence
The death anniversary ceremonies of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, also known as the “Lion of Punjab,” are significant events for the Sikh community worldwide. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the founder of the Sikh Empire and is remembered for his secular rule, religious tolerance, and the construction of many Sikh shrines across the region. His samadhi in Lahore remains a symbol of Sikh heritage and attracts thousands of devotees every year.
The visit of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan is part of a long-standing tradition of cross-border religious tourism. Under the bilateral agreement between India and Pakistan, Sikh pilgrims are allowed to visit their holy sites in Pakistan on various occasions, including the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, and the Vaisakhi festival.
➡️ अमृतसर से सिख श्रद्धालुओं का जत्था महाराजा रणजीत सिंह की बरसी समागम में शामिल होने पाकिस्तान रवाना हुआ।
➡️ शिरोमणि गुरुद्वारा प्रबंधक कमेटी द्वारा 290 श्रद्धालुओं को वीजा जारी किया गया।
➡️ जत्था पाकिस्तान के ननकाना साहिब, पंजा साहिब और करतारपुर साहिब सहित कई गुरुद्वारों के… pic.twitter.com/HR5bpmyQYx— FM News (@FMNewsLive) June 21, 2026
Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate religious tourism have been widely appreciated by the international community, with many countries recognizing the country’s commitment to protecting minority rights and promoting interfaith harmony.
Pakistan government has undertaken numerous projects to restore and preserve Sikh heritage sites across the country, including Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal, and Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.
As the pilgrims continue their spiritual journey across Pakistan’s sacred sites, the atmosphere of devotion and brotherhood serves as a powerful reminder of the shared cultural and religious heritage that unites people across borders. The successful facilitation of the visit underscores Pakistan’s role as a responsible host and its commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and religious freedom for all communities.
