By News18,Yimkumla Longkumer

Copyright news18

The central government on Thursday granted permission for Sikh jathas to visit Pakistan for the upcoming Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, to be observed on November 7.
The decision comes at a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following April’s Pahalgam terror attack and India’s subsequent response, ‘Operation Sindoor’. The four-day conflict led to the worst violence between the two neighbours in decades.
Pilgrimages had been temporarily suspended in the aftermath. However, the government has now allowed the visit under strict security conditions.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has laid down specific guidelines to ensure the safety of the pilgrims and prevent any security concerns during the cross-border travel, News18 Hindi reported.
Sikh pilgrims are expected to visit several historic gurdwaras in Pakistan, including the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, where Guru Nanak Dev spent his final years. The shrine remains a major spiritual site for Sikhs worldwide and is the main destination for the jathas.
However, since May, India has kept its side of the Kartarpur Corridor closed indefinitely due to rising tensions with Pakistan. While Pakistan has kept its side open, the corridor cannot function without cooperation from both sides.
The Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free border crossing, links Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab, India, with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. The suspension currently prevents movement from the Indian side.
Further details regarding the size of the jatha, travel dates, and logistical arrangements are expected to be announced by the Ministry of External Affairs in coordination with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).