Pakistan hosted dozens of Sikh devotees from India on Tuesday. According to the global media, it was the first significant border movement since the May war between the two nuclear powers.
According to Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi, more than 2100 pilgrims were issued visas to take part in a 10-day festival celebrating the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism.
Relations between Islamabad and New Delhi stay strained after the deadliest clashes since 1999 took place in May, with dozens killed following India’s aggressive actions.
The Wagah-Attari border — the only active border route between the two countries — was restricted for civilians after last year’s conflict in May.
Pilgrims lined up on the Indian side of the border on Tuesday morning, some holding luggage above their heads, as the Indian Border Security Force stood guard.
AFP journalists on the Pakistani side of the Wagah-Attari border saw several of Sikh devotees entering Pakistan.
Pakistani officials welcomed them and presented them with flowers and showered them with rose petals.
According to Indian media, 1700 pilgrims crossed the border. However, New Delhi had not confirmed the figure.
The pilgrims will gather at Nankana Sahib, Guru Nanak’s birthplace, about 80 kilometres west of Lahore by road, and later visit other sacred sites in Pakistan, including Kartarpur, where the guru is buried, the private media channel reported on Tuesday.
Pakistan’s High Commission confirmed that the decision is just an effort to promote “inter-religious and inter-cultural harmony and understanding”.
How many Sikh Pilgrims visited Pakistan for Vaisakhi festival?
In April this year, thousands of Sikhs visited Pakistan to celebrate the Vaisakhi festival. It’s a harvest festival common in Punjab and is the start of the Sikh New Year.
According to Pakistani authorities, more than 6500 visas were issued to Sikh Pilgrims in April for Vaisakhi festivities.
