Talibani Directive: SGPC bans solo women travellers from Pakistan Pilgrimage

April 3, 2026

Chandigarh: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has announced a major decision ahead of Baisakhi. SGPC has stopped processing passports of single women travellers for religious jathas traveling to Pakistan. The move comes in the wake of the Sarabjit Kaur incident, which has raised concerns over safety and protocol.

Issuing fresh guidelines, the SGPC stated that no woman will be allowed to travel alone with religious groups (Jathas) to Pakistan. The committee emphasized that maintaining the dignity and discipline of religious pilgrimages is the responsibility of every devotee and thus they won’t be processing applications of solo women travellers.

SGPC officials also called for a thorough investigation by security agencies into the recent developments. They further stated that strict action would be taken against Sarabjit Kaur upon her return to India.

The decision is expected to impact future jathas visiting Sikh religious shrines in Pakistan, with stricter rules now in place for participants.

Strong criticism of the SGPC’s decision 

Senior Sikh leader Bibi Jagir Kaur has strongly criticized the decision of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to bar single women from traveling to Pakistan as part of religious jathas.

Calling the move inappropriate, she urged the SGPC to immediately withdraw the decision. Kaur stated that such restrictions could harm the image of the nation and send a negative message globally.