Amritsar: The President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Harjinder Singh Dhami, has called on the governments of India and Pakistan to simplify visa procedures for Sikh pilgrims travelling to gurdwaras across the border.
Speaking about a Sikh delegation (jatha) set to visit holy sites in Pakistan, Dhami stressed the need for more flexible travel arrangements. He suggested that authorities should consider a system allowing pilgrims to visit shrines in the morning and return the same day, enabling a larger number of devotees to pay their respects.
Highlighting long-standing religious sentiments, Dhami said that the Sikh community continues to pray for unrestricted access to gurdwaras that are currently difficult for devotees to visit. He emphasized that facilitating such access remains a key aspiration for the Panth.
The SGPC chief also raised concerns regarding visa policies affecting women pilgrims. He noted that in some cases, visas are issued to women without accompanying family members, which can lead to difficulties during travel. He advised women devotees to ensure they are accompanied by relatives to avoid inconvenience.
Extending his शुभकामनाएँ on the occasion of the Prakash Parv of Guru Arjan Dev, Dhami urged the Sangat to follow the teachings of Gurbani. He described the Guru Granth Sahib as a timeless guide for righteous living, encouraging devotees to remain connected to spiritual values.
The remarks come as Sikh pilgrims continue to undertake religious visits across the border, with growing calls for smoother travel processes and improved access to sacred sites.
