The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has received visas for 541 Sikh pilgrims who will travel to Pakistan to pay obeisance at historic Sikh shrines on the occasion of the martyrdom anniversary of the fifth Sikh Guru, Arjan Dev.

In total, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 737 visas to the Indian pilgrims to participate in an annual festival to be held in Pakistan from June 10-19, according to an official statement.

SGPC's Dharam Prachar Committee Secretary, Gurinder Singh Mathrewal, said here on Monday (June 8, 2026) that the Sikhs' apex religious body had submitted passports of 561 pilgrims to the Pakistani Embassy in New Delhi. Visas had been granted to 541 pilgrims, while 20 applicants were denied.

The 'Jatha' (batch) of pilgrims will depart from the SGPC headquarters on Wednesday (June 10).

Saad Ahmad Warraich, Charge d’Affaires of Pakistan to India, extended his heartfelt felicitations and wished the pilgrims a fulfilling yatra.

The issuance of visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to fully implement the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, the statement said.

He said the batch would travel to Pakistan to participate in the martyrdom anniversary events.

During the visit, the pilgrims will pay obeisance at various historic Sikh shrines and participate in commemorative events before returning to India on June 19.

Mr. Mathrewal said pilgrims whose visas had been approved should collect their passports from the SGPC office during office hours on June 9.