Pakistan has issued 737 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims to facilitate their participation in events commemorating the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from June 10 to June 19.
The announcement was made by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, which said the visas had been granted to enable Sikh devotees from India to attend the annual observances associated with the fifth Sikh Guru.
“The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 737 visas to pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled on the eve of Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjun Dev Ji to be held in Pakistan from 10-19 June 2026,” the mission said.
The pilgrimage forms part of regular religious visits undertaken by Sikh devotees to gurdwaras in Pakistan that hold historical and spiritual significance within Sikhism.
According to the High Commission, the issuance of visas is in line with Pakistan’s commitment to implementing the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines signed between India and Pakistan in 1974. The protocol facilitates visits by pilgrims to religious sites located across the two countries.
Every year, large numbers of Sikh pilgrims from India travel to Pakistan to participate in various religious festivals and commemorative events. In 2024, Pakistan issued 962 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India for the same observance.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, attained martyrdom on June 16, 1606, according to Sikh historical accounts. He is revered in Sikh tradition as the first martyr of the faith and is remembered for his role in shaping Sikh teachings and institutions.
Historical accounts state that Guru Arjan Dev Ji faced persecution during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir after refusing to abandon the spiritual path established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Sikh tradition holds that he endured severe torture before his martyrdom.
Sikhs around the world observe June 16 each year as the Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. The event is regarded as a significant moment in Sikh history and is widely seen as having influenced the future direction and development of the Sikh community.
Prior to Guru Arjan Dev Ji’s martyrdom, Sikh teachings emphasised devotion, compassion, service, hard work and peaceful coexistence. His sacrifice continues to be remembered by Sikhs worldwide as a defining chapter in the history of the faith.
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