Amritsar, Apr 2, 2026 — After the government announced a new charge of Rs 200 for entry to Pakistan and another Rs 200 for return, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has urged that Sikh pilgrims be exempted from the fee.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said travel to historic gurdwaras is a matter of faith for Sikhs and that pilgrims who go to pay obeisance should not be required to pay the levy. The committee, which organizes groups of devotees for visits to gurdwaras in Pakistan on Gurpurab and other historic occasions, said it would be unjust to pass this cost onto the sangat.
Dhami also reiterated the SGPC’s long-standing demand that Pakistan withdraw the US dollar fee charged to pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib. He appealed to the Indian government to rescind the new Rs 200 charge, warning that the additional fee will adversely affect Sikh pilgrims who travel for religious reasons.
