Global Sikh Pilgrims to Gather in Punjab for Historic Vaisakhi Festival

Punjab Home Department Unveils Robust Security and Hospitality Plan for 327th Vaisakhi Festival
Lahore(Nazrana Times) Ali Imran Chattha 

With thousands of Sikh pilgrims set to converge on Punjab’s historic gurdwaras, the Punjab Home Department has issued comprehensive security guidelines to ensure a safe, smooth, and spiritually fulfilling celebration of the 327th Vaisakhi Festival from April 10 to 19, 2026.
An estimated 26,000 pilgrims including around 20,000 local devotees, 3,000 from India, and 3,000 from other countries are expected to participate in the festivities, which mark the birth of the Khalsa and hold deep significance for the global Sikh community. Key shrines to be visited include Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal (site of the main ceremony on April 14), Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, and others in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, and Narowal.
Foolproof Security Arrangements
The department has directed police and law enforcement agencies to implement multi-layered security at all gurdwaras, pilgrim accommodations, and travel routes. Measures include:
Installation of walk-through gates, CCTV cameras, and searchlights at sensitive sites.
Deployment of at least one Superintendent of Police (SP)-rank officer to oversee security at every major event and location.
Special Branch to conduct thorough security audits, bus searches, and screening of drivers and conductors.
Intelligence committee meetings at divisional and district levels to fine-tune arrangements.
Completion of combing and search operations in relevant areas well before the festival begins.
Pakistan Rangers will reinforce security at the Wagah border during arrivals and departures.
Seamless Immigration and Coordination
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) will coordinate closely with the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and Indian authorities. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will set up sufficient immigration counters equipped with modern biometric devices at Wagah, with dedicated lanes for elderly pilgrims and women to ensure swift and dignified processing.
Pilgrim Comfort and Facilities
Help desks staffed by volunteers will operate at all key locations to assist pilgrims. Adequate arrangements have been made for:
Proper lighting, drinking water, air conditioned spaces, and clean washrooms.
Baggage scanners at all gurdwaras for efficient screening.
All pilgrim buses must carry valid fitness certificates and route permits, with each convoy accompanied by at least one backup bus to handle any breakdowns.
Medical, Emergency, and Support Services
Robust emergency cover includes:
Rescue 1122 teams and bomb disposal squads stationed at accommodation sites.
Medical teams with doctors and paramedics, plus two ambulances per convoy.
Field hospitals and mobile clinics in relevant districts.
ETPB camp offices at major pilgrim sites.
Cleanliness, Food Safety, and Logistics.

All encroachments around gurdwaras and accommodations will be removed. Punjab Food Authority teams will conduct regular checks to ensure food quality and hygiene. The Saaf Punjab initiative will maintain high cleanliness standards across routes, gurdwaras, and lodging facilities.
Control rooms will be activated in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Narowal, all linked to a central control room for real-time coordination. Deputy Commissioners and District Police Officers (DPOs) have been directed to strictly implement the plan.
Provincial authorities, including ministers overseeing law and order and minority affairs, have emphasized that pilgrims will be hosted with full respect for their religious traditions, extending Pakistan’s renowned hospitality while prioritizing their safety and comfort.
The festival provides a significant opportunity to strengthen interfaith harmony and promote religious tourism, with the government committed to making this year’s celebrations memorable and incident-free.
Nazrana Times will continue to bring exclusive updates from the ground as preparations intensify.