Pakistan issues 2,200 visas to Indian pilgrims

  1. Pakistan has issued 2200 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual Baisakhi celebrations.During their visit to Pakistan,the pilgrims will visit the shrine of Panja Sahib,Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib.
  2. Pilgrimages between India and Pakistan are governed by the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines.Under this framework,a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year.Similarly, Pakistani pilgrims also visit India.
  3. Baisakhi is a spring harvest festival for Sikhs and Hindus.It is usually celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year.It marks the Sikh New Year and commemorates the formation of Khalsa panth of warriors under Guru Gobind Singh in 1699