Foreign Office Spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan has reiterated that Pakistan welcomes pilgrims of all faiths and remains committed to facilitating their visits to religious sites belonging to different religions.

Responding to a question during his weekly media briefing in Islamabad today, the Spokesperson said Pakistan issued more than 9,000 visas to Indian religious pilgrims in 2025, including Sikh and Hindu pilgrims.

He added that over 4,000 additional visas were issued to Sikh pilgrims during the first half of this year.

Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan looks forward to welcoming a large number of Sikh pilgrims at Nankana Sahib later this month to mark the 557th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

He noted that the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines between Pakistan and India provides a framework for facilitating religious pilgrimages between the two countries.

The Spokesperson highlighted that Pakistan established the Kartarpur Corridor as a special initiative to facilitate Sikh pilgrims. The corridor enables more than 5,000 pilgrims to visit the holy site daily and return on the same day.

He said that although India has suspended pilgrim movement through the corridor since May 2025, Pakistan remains ready to welcome and facilitate pilgrims once the restrictions are lifted.

Commenting on the possible visit of the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab to Pakistan, Sajjad Haider Khan said the Pakistani government would consider issuing him a visa if he wished to visit the country. However, he clarified that whether the Indian government permits him to travel to Pakistan is an entirely separate matter.

Reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to religious freedom, the Spokesperson said the country believes in facilitating followers of all faiths in visiting their sacred places.

He further stated that Pakistan is taking steps to preserve and protect Buddhist heritage sites, including those in Taxila and Takht-i-Bahi, and has established a special task force for this purpose.