The 326th Khalsa Sajna Diwas and Baisakhi celebrations came to a close in Pakistan with immense spiritual fervor, deep devotion, and heartfelt exchanges between Sikh pilgrims and their Pakistani hosts. Held at the historic Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, the concluding ceremonies were attended by thousands of Sikh pilgrims from India and across the globe, who have now returned home with cherished memories.

Punjab Minister for Minorities, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, attended the final ceremony and urged the Sikh community to carry forward the teachings of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He highlighted the importance of love, tolerance, and mutual respect in building bridges between communities and fostering interfaith harmony.

Addressing the gathering, he lauded Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s progressive initiatives, including the launch of Minority and Health Cards, as vital steps toward uplifting minority communities. He also shared that long-inactive gurdwaras across Pakistan are being restored and reopened for Sikh devotees.

“We want Sikh youth from around the world to visit Pakistan, experience their religious roots, and carry Guru Nanak’s message of peace across borders,” Arora said, adding that Pakistan is committed to facilitating maximum visas for pilgrims.

Exclusive: Indian Sikh Pilgrims share their experience in Pakistan with SAMAA Digital

Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan for Baisakhi celebrations shared heartfelt reflections with SAMAA Digital, praising the warmth, hospitality, and interfaith harmony they experienced during their spiritual journey.

Gurnam Singh, 45, from Amritsar, said that his second visit to Pakistan exceeded all expectations. “The hospitality I received this time was even better than the first. I urge my fellow Indian Sikhs to visit Pakistan and experience this kindness for themselves,” he told SAMAA Digital.

Balkar Singh, 77, from a border village near Tarn Taran Sahib, spoke to SAMAA Digital at the historic Hazuri Bagh. “This is my second time in Pakistan. We were hoping to visit villages in West Punjab too. I dream of a day when both governments resume mass-level people-to-people contact and ease visa restrictions for Punjabis on both sides,” he said.

Singh also shared his perspective on welfare schemes in Indian Punjab, including free bus travel for women and girls, 600 units of free electricity every two months (300 monthly) for each household, and minimum support prices and electricity incentives for farmers.

He praised the Government of Pakistan and Punjab’s provincial administration for issuing a record 7,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims this year—an unprecedented move in nearly five decades.

Taranjeet Singh, 63, a frequent visitor from Chandigarh, said this was his 20th visit to West Punjab. “I feel truly blessed that Wahe Guru gave me another chance to visit the sacred land of Guru Nanak. This time is bittersweet, though—I deeply miss my wife who passed away. I remain devoted to her memory,” he shared.

Taranjeet, who has also lived in the United States, stressed the importance of people-to-people connections in improving ties between the two nations. “I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to adopt a generous visa policy and issue visas to Pakistanis as well. It’s unfortunate that such openness is still missing on the Indian side.”

Harpal Singh, 34, also from Chandigarh, said this was his first visit to Pakistan. “We applied for the visas back in January, and it wasn’t until just three days before our departure that we received approval. The joy we felt was indescribable,” he said.

“Lahore is breathtaking—so culturally rich and full of life. Punjab, Pakistan is truly beautiful,” he added.

Dr Pooja Devaan from New Delhi thanked the Pakistan government for exra ordinary facilities for the Sikh yatrees.

Veisakhi festival at historic Hazuri Bagh

In a grand celebration organized by the Punjab Department of Human Rights, a farewell and Baisakhi event was held at Lahore’s iconic Hazuri Bagh — a garden in bounded by Lahore Fort to east, Badshahi Mosque to west, Samadhi of Ranjit Singh to north, and the Roshnai Gate to south, built during reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in style of Mughal gardens.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb was chief guest of the event, and Minister Ramesh Singh Arora, who hosted the ceremony.

The ambassadors of Azerbaijan and Canada, a Senior Political Officer from the U.S., comedian Iftikhar Thakur, and senior provincial officials.

Ramesh Singh Arora told Samaa Digital that the event organized was to send message of peace to the entire world that Sikhs of Pakistan, visiting yatrees from India and all over the world are free and safe in Pakistan.

Marriyum Aurangzeb’s first-ever Punjabi speech

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb congratulated the pilgrims and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to interfaith harmony. She said it was her first ever Punjabi speech and highlighted the issuance of 6,700 visas to Sikh pilgrims as a reflection of the government’s efforts to bring Sikh communities closer to their religious heritage.

She also announced restoration work on 45 gurdwaras across Punjab and revealed plans for transforming the Kartarpur Corridor into a religious tourism hub, complete with SIM cards and improved facilities for visitors.

Speaking at the farewell, Minister Arora said, “The Sikh pilgrims who came here are now ambassadors of peace, taking back messages of love and harmony.” He also noted that tourism in Punjab has increased by 72%, crediting the Chief Minister’s efforts to position Pakistan as a welcoming and inclusive destination.

“The bond between Sikhs and Pakistan,” Arora said, “is like flesh and nail – inseparable.”

The celebration concluded with bhangra performances, traditional drumming, and skits that celebrated Sikh culture and the significance of Baisakhi. Pilgrims danced, laughed, and bid farewell with emotional embraces and promises to return.

The entire experience stood as a powerful testament to Pakistan’s commitment to interfaith respect and religious freedom, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of the pilgrims and showcasing Pakistan’s positive and peaceful global image.

Farewell at Wagah

A total of 5,803 Indian Sikh pilgrims concluded their spiritual journey and departed for India via the Wagah Border on April 19.

Minister Ramesh Singh Arora, Additional Secretary Shrines Saifullah Khokhar, federal ministry officials, and members of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) officials presented on the occasion.

Pilgrims expressed immense gratitude to the people and government of Pakistan for the hospitality, respect, and spiritual environment they received. Sardar Daljeet Singh, leader of the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee, said, “We witnessed unmatched respect for humanity in Pakistan. We will try to carry this love to Indian soil.”

Sardar Ravinder Singh from India’s Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee called Pakistan “a truly minority-friendly country” and said the community would never forget the love and kindness shown.