ISLAMABAD: Pakistan remains committed to facilitating visits to religious sites for pilgrims of various faiths, Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan announced during a recent media briefing.

According to Radio Pakistan, Khan emphasized the country’s efforts to welcome religious pilgrims, highlighting the issuance of over 9,000 visas to Indian religious pilgrims in 2025, including Sikh and Hindu visitors. He noted the issuance of more than 4,000 additional visas to Sikh pilgrims during the first half of this year, underscoring Pakistan’s dedication to fostering religious tourism.

Khan cited the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, an agreement between Pakistan and India, as a framework facilitating such pilgrimages. Pakistan’s establishment of the Kartarpur Corridor was mentioned as a significant initiative, enabling up to 5,000 pilgrims to visit and return from the holy site daily. Despite India suspending movement through the corridor since May 2025, Khan assured that Pakistan is prepared to welcome pilgrims once restrictions are lifted.

Addressing the potential visit of the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab, Khan expressed openness to considering a visa application but noted that the decision to permit travel rests with the Indian government. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to religious freedom and mentioned ongoing efforts to preserve Buddhist heritage sites, including those in Taxila and Takht-i-Bahi, through a dedicated task force.