Pakistan Waives Visa Fees for Sikh Pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: In a gesture of goodwill towards Sikh pilgrims, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has announced the waiver of visa fees for visitors from the Sikh community. This decision was unveiled by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a meeting with a delegation of 44 Sikh pilgrims who arrived from the United States on Thursday.

Welcoming the pilgrims at the State Guest House, Naqvi emphasized the availability of a visa-on-arrival option for Sikh travelers holding US passports. He assured the delegation that visa processing would be expedited, with approvals taking as little as half an hour upon arrival at the airport.

“If you have a passport, just close your eyes and come,” Naqvi stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to making their visit as seamless as possible. He encouraged the Sikh pilgrims to visit significant religious sites such as Hassan Abdal, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur, assuring them that any challenges encountered would be promptly addressed.

The minister also expressed the government’s enthusiasm for hosting visitors during major cricket events, including the Champions Trophy and matches between Pakistan and India. A special quota has been reserved specifically for Sikh pilgrims and visitors from India.

Sikh pilgrims holding passports from the US, Canada, and the UK can complete an online application to obtain their visa within 30 minutes. The government aims to host one million Sikh pilgrims annually and has extended visa-free entry to citizens from 124 countries, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing religious tourism.

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