Grand Welcome at Wagah as Hundreds Cross for Vaisakhi Mela

Sikh Pilgrims from India Arrive in Pakistan for Historic Vaisakhi Mela & 327th Khalsa Janam Din Celebrations
Hundreds Cross Wagah Border; Pakistan Rolls Out Red Carpet with Full Religious Freedom, Safety & Hospitality
Lahore (April 10, 2026 – Nazrana Times)
 Ali Imran Chattha
 

Warm Welcome at Wagah Border
Hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from India crossed the Wagah Border today to participate in the grand Vaisakhi Mela and the 327th Khalsa Janam Din celebrations being organized under the auspices of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Ministry of Religious Affairs & Interfaith Harmony, Government of Pakistan.
The pilgrims were warmly received at the Wagah Check Post by Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Provincial Minister for Minorities, Punjab, and President of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), along with Mr. Nasir Mushtaq, Additional Secretary (Shrines), Evacuee Trust Property Board.
Minister’s Powerful Message: “Pakistan is the Sacred Land of Baba Guru Nanak”
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora said:
“Pakistan is the sacred land of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj. Here, followers of all religions enjoy complete religious freedom and equal respect. Vaisakhi is not only a festival of the Sikh community but a celebration of unity, peace, and harmony for all.”

He strongly demanded that the Indian Government immediately reopen the Kartarpur Corridor so that Sikh pilgrims from India and across the world can easily visit Pakistan to perform their religious prayers and pay tribute at the holy shrines of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj.
“Sikhs and Pakistani Punjab are connected like body and soul,” Sardar Arora declared. “Every Sikh prays in the morning and evening to come to Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan and the Government of Punjab are servants of every minority, including the Sikhs. In Pakistan, everyone lives in complete brotherhood.”
He further highlighted that despite challenging bilateral relations, the Government of Pakistan issued visas to more than 2,800 Sikh pilgrims this year a clear reflection of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to religious tourism, interfaith harmony, and people-to-people contacts.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora also informed that the Punjab Government is actively working on the reconstruction and restoration of 80 gurdwaras across the province to preserve Sikh heritage and provide better facilities for devotees.

ETPB Assures World-Class Arrangements
Mr. Nasir Mushtaq, Additional Secretary Shrines, ETPB, stated:“Under the special directives of the Federal Government and Chairman ETPB Qamar-uz-Zaman, comprehensive arrangements have been made for the comfort and safety of the pilgrims. This includes accommodation in gurdwaras and rest houses, langar facilities, dedicated transportation, medical support, and foolproof security arrangements. Comfortable air-conditioned buses have been arranged for their travel.”
Indian Jatha Leader Thanks Pakistan
The leader of the Indian Jatha, Sardar Surjit Singh from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), expressed deep gratitude:
“Pakistan is a peace-loving country. Sikhs from all over the world wish to visit the holy shrines here. The respect and hospitality extended to us by the Pakistani government and the ETPB is truly commendable.”
Jatha leaders and pilgrims thanked the Government of Pakistan for facilitating the visit despite border tensions, describing it as a commendable step towards promoting peace and religious tourism.

Arrival & Hospitality
After completing immigration and customs formalities at Wagah, the ETPB administration warmly welcomed the pilgrims with tea, refreshments, and traditional greetings. The pilgrims, arriving from various states of India including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan, were divided into groups and transported safely to Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Itinerary Highlights
: April 10–11, 2026: Stay and prayers at Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib
: April 12–13, 2026: Visit to other important shrines
: April 14, 2026: Main Vaisakhi Mela & 327th Khalsa Janam Din celebrations at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal expected to be attended by thousands of local and foreign devotees.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board has made special arrangements for langar, medical camps, sanitation, transportation, and security throughout the pilgrims’ stay. Senior officers of the ETPB and PSGPC are personally supervising all arrangements to ensure a memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience for the pilgrims.

Note: Media persons are cordially invited to cover the main Vaisakhi celebrations at Gurdwara Panja Sahib on April 14, 2026.