Amritsar: Despite the continued closure of the Attari-Wagah international border following Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan govt has announced the programme for the 557th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, expecting between 2,300 and 2,700 Sikh pilgrims from India for the Nov 24 event at Nankana Sahib.Pakistan has also maintained that the Kartarpur Corridor remains open from its side, although pilgrim movement through it continues to be suspended by India.According to Pakistani media reports, the programme was finalised at a meeting of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), chaired by its president and Punjab provincial minister for minority affairs and human rights, Ramesh Singh Arora, to review arrangements for the celebrations.As per the schedule, Indian Sikh pilgrims are expected to arrive in Pakistan through the Attari border on Nov 22. The main ceremony will be held on Nov 24 at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev. The pilgrims are scheduled to return on Dec 1.Reacting to Pakistan’s announcement, Sikh scholar Jagdeep Singh said the proposed pilgrimage programme assumes significance amid strained India-Pakistan ties and the continued closure of the Attari-Wagah border following Operation Sindoor.“Keeping the border open would serve the interests of both countries and, above all, make it easier for devotees to visit their historic religious shrines,” said Jagdeep.While Pakistan maintains that the Kartarpur Corridor is operational on its side and has expressed readiness to facilitate Sikh devotees, India has suspended pilgrim movement through it since May 2025.In a statement, Arora said Pakistani diplomatic missions had been instructed to facilitate visa issuance for Sikh pilgrims. He also urged India to allow the Sikh sangat to visit its historic shrines.According to reports, arrangements reviewed at the meeting include air-conditioned buses, accommodation, langar, medical facilities, mineral water and currency exchange services. A Rescue 1122 ambulance will accompany every convoy of 20 buses to handle medical emergencies.
