For the first time since deadly border clashes in May, Pakistan opened its gates to more than 2,000 Sikh pilgrims from India on Tuesday, marking a rare moment of peace and spiritual unity between the two often-hostile neighbours. The pilgrims arrived to celebrate the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the revered founder of Sikhism, whose birthplace lies in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan.
AFP reporters witnessed hundreds of pilgrims crossing the Wagah-Attari border — the only active land route between the countries — carrying luggage, garlands, and immense emotion. Pakistani officials welcomed them warmly with flowers and rose petals, creating scenes filled with gratitude and joy.
“We have nothing to do with war,” said Parvinder Kaur, one of the pilgrims. “We watched videos of these holy places and dreamed of coming here — and now, that dream has come true.”
Another pilgrim, Valeti Singh, described the reception as deeply touching. “It doesn’t feel like we are in another country. It feels like we are among our own people,” he said. “We hope that someday, when Pakistanis visit our side, we can return the same love and respect.”
Nasir Mushtaq, a senior official at Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, confirmed that around 2,000 pilgrims entered Pakistan on the eve of Guru Nanak’s birthday. “We are welcoming our Sikh guests with greater respect and hospitality than ever before,” he said. “We want them to return with pleasant memories of Pakistan — as ambassadors of peace and goodwill.”
The pilgrims will spend ten days visiting sacred Sikh sites, including Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur, where Guru Nanak is believed to have spent his final years. Although the Kartarpur Corridor — the visa-free route opened in 2019 — remains closed due to recent conflict, Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi said the decision to issue thousands of visas was part of its commitment to “inter-religious and cultural harmony.”
This crossing comes against a backdrop of tension. In May, both countries saw their worst fighting since 1999 after New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, an allegation Pakistan denied. The clashes left more than 70 people dead and led to the closure of the border for general traffic.
For now, however, faith has triumphed over politics. The chants of pilgrims crossing into Pakistan — calling for peace, unity, and divine blessing — carried a powerful message: while borders divide nations, devotion continues to bridge hearts.