Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

Centre and Haryana governments have tightened rules governing religious travel between India and Pakistan following the exposure of alleged Pakistani espionage networks after Operation Sindoor and the case involving Hisar-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra.

According to the investigation, Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and private tour operators were allegedly sponsoring Indian citizens in the name of religious travel and subsequently using them for espionage activities. In view of these concerns, the Indian government has banned all types of privately sponsored tours operated from Pakistan and also revised visa conditions.

Harkirat Singh, Tourism In-charge of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, confirmed the development. He said private-sponsored tours have been stopped following espionage cases such as that of Jyoti Malhotra. Earlier, pilgrims travelling to Pakistan could contact agencies there to arrange tour programs and undertake religious visits.

Religious travel between India and Pakistan takes place through both individual and group arrangements. Most Sikh pilgrims travel in groups under the India-Pakistan Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974, with visa and security clearances provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, operational since 2019, allows Indian citizens and OCI cardholders to visit the shrine without a visa, using their passports, and return the same day. Special group or individual visas are also issued for visits to the Katas Raj temples, particularly during Shivratri.

Under the 1974 bilateral agreement, major Sikh pilgrim groups are permitted to visit Pakistan on four key occasions every year, with a combined annual visa quota of 8,000 Sikh pilgrims:

  • Baisakhi/K Khalsa Sajna Diwas (April): Up to 3,000 pilgrims

  • Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (May-June): Up to 1,000 pilgrims

  • Death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (June): Up to 1,000 pilgrims

  • Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (November, Nankana Sahib): Up to 3,000 pilgrims