ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced plans to restore at least 46 more Gurdwaras and other religious sites as the number of Sikh pilgrims visiting the country continues to rise.
The initiative follows a 72 percent increase in Sikh visitors to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, reinforcing Pakistan’s commitment to interfaith harmony and religious tourism, officials said this week.
The announcement was made during a seminar titled “Kartarpur Corridor: Pakistan’s Initiatives for Peace and Harmony,” organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). Punjab’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, stated that the Kartarpur Corridor had strengthened ties between Pakistan and the global Sikh community.
“Despite challenges, Sikh pilgrimage has grown significantly. Those visiting from India return with memories of love and hospitality,” Arora said.
The Kartarpur Corridor, which allows visa-free entry for Sikh pilgrims from India, remains a rare symbol of peace along the Pakistan-India border. The event was attended by government officials, scholars, and journalists, all highlighting the importance of religious coexistence.
Gurdwara restoration plan
As part of the initiative, Pakistan will restore 46 additional Gurdwaras, expanding access for Sikh pilgrims from India, Canada, the United Kingdom, and beyond. The move follows previous restoration efforts at major Sikh sites such as Gurdwara Janamasthan Guru Nanak Dev in Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.
Kartarpur Corridor CEO Abu Bakar Aftab Qureshi underscored the historical significance of Kartarpur, where Guru Nanak founded the first Sikh commune in 1504 AD. He added that while Pakistan had facilitated Sikh pilgrims with visa-free access, India had not reciprocated similar goodwill gestures.
“Pakistan’s efforts prove that peace can bind societies. The Corridor stands as a beacon of interfaith harmony,” Qureshi stated.
Former Minister of State Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani emphasised the economic and diplomatic benefits of religious tourism, urging the government to further promote Sikh, Hindu, and Buddhist pilgrimage routes.
Growing Sikh tourism
The surge in Sikh visitors is attributed to improved infrastructure, visa facilitation, and Pakistan’s broader policy of minority rights protection. In November last year, Pakistan introduced a streamlined visa process for Sikh visitors from Canada, the US, and the UK, allowing online visas to be issued within 30 minutes upon arrival.
Under the initiative, Sikh pilgrims can visit Pakistan up to 10 times annually without requiring special permits to access sites beyond major religious hubs such as Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib.
“Pakistan is home to some of the most sacred Sikh sites, and we want to ensure seamless access for visitors,” said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Historic Sikh presence in Pakistan
Sikhism, which originated in present-day Punjab, Pakistan, has deep historical roots in the region. The country is home to significant Sikh heritage sites, including the birthplace of Guru Nanak in Nankana Sahib and the resting place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Lahore.
Before the partition of British India in 1947, Sikhs made up nearly 9 percent of the population in Punjab. Today, the Sikh community in Pakistan numbers around 15,000, primarily residing in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Despite being a minority, Sikhs in Pakistan have played an active role in politics, business, and interfaith dialogue. The Kartarpur Corridor, hailed as a “Corridor of Hope” by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s efforts to promote religious freedom.
“The Kartarpur Corridor reflects Pakistan’s policy of treating minorities as equal citizens. It is a model for peaceful coexistence,” said ISSI Chairman Ambassador Khalid Mahmood.