"More than 2,000 Sikh pilgrims from India arrived in eastern Pakistan on Tuesday, marking the first major border crossing between the two countries since the brief war in May. Hundreds of pilgrims made their way across the border with luggage in tow where were welcomed by Pakistani officials, who threw rose petals over them and gave them flowers. Last week, Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi announced that visas had been granted to more than 2,100 pilgrims."
"In May, a conflict erupted after New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing a terror attack that killed 26 people in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan denied the accusations. The Wagah border crossing had been closed for months due to the border conflict, but was reopened by Pakistani authorities to facilitate the pilgrimage, according to government official Nasir Mushtaq. "Granting visas to Sikh pilgrims and reopening the border demonstrates Pakistan's respect for religious minorities and commitment to fostering cultural ties, despite ongoing political disputes," Mushtaq said."
"On Wednesday, the pilgrims will gather in Nankana Sahib, Guru Nanak's birthplace, which is located west of Lahore. Then, they will visit other sacred sites in Pakistan, including Kartarpur, where Guru Nanak is buried. Sikhs in India and Pakistan Sikhs are a tiny minority in Pakistan. Sikhism, a monotheistic religion, originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region, which spans parts of modern-day India and Pakistan."
More than 2,000 Sikh pilgrims from India arrived in eastern Pakistan to attend a 10-day festival commemorating the 556th anniversary of Guru Nanak's birth after visas were granted to over 2,100 pilgrims. Pilgrims crossed the Wagah border carrying luggage and were welcomed by Pakistani officials who threw rose petals and gave flowers. The Wagah crossing had been closed for months following a May conflict triggered by New Delhi's accusation that Islamabad backed a terror attack; Pakistan denied the accusation. The border was reopened by Pakistani authorities to facilitate the pilgrimage. Pilgrims will gather in Nankana Sahib, visit Kartarpur, and explore other sacred sites; Sikhs are a small minority in Pakistan following the 1947 Partition.
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