India Grants Visas to 188 Pakistani Pilgrims for Hazrat Amir Khusro’s Urs in New Delhi

Tamseela Akhtar

Apr 11, 2025 — 1 min read

India has issued visas to 188 Pakistani pilgrims to attend the annual Urs celebrations of revered Sufi saint Hazrat Amir Khusro in New Delhi, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Departure Scheduled from Lahore

The pilgrims are scheduled to depart from Lahore and will stay in New Delhi from April 12 to 18. Prior to departure, the Ministry has instructed all participants to report to Lahore for pre-departure training and to receive their travel documents.

The visit is part of a bilateral religious exchange agreement that facilitates cross-border travel for pilgrims attending key spiritual events in both countries.

Interfaith Engagement Continues

This latest development comes just a day after Pakistan granted visas to 6,629 Indian Sikh pilgrims for the Baisakhi 2025 festival—more than double the annual average. The move marks a significant gesture of goodwill amid strained political relations between the two countries.

The approved visas allow Indian Sikh devotees to visit major religious sites in Pakistan, including Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The Pakistani government’s decision has been widely acknowledged as a rare and meaningful act of interfaith diplomacy in South Asia.

Strengthening Religious and Cultural Ties

Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs emphasized that such exchanges are a cornerstone of Pakistan’s commitment to regional religious harmony. “Facilitating access to sacred sites reflects Pakistan’s respect for religious diversity and its continued efforts to promote cross-border cultural and spiritual connections,” a ministry official noted.

These initiatives align with Pakistan’s broader diplomatic efforts to promote peace through cultural and religious outreach, offering a hopeful contrast in a region often characterized by political tension.

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