AMRITSAR, Oct. 3 -- The Union government on Thursday granted permission to Sikh pilgrims to undertake a 10-day journey to the Nankana Sahib shrine in Pakistan and mark the birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak, roughly two weeks after it refused permission for the holy trip citing security concerns. The information was confirmed by the SGPC and the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee which facilitate the pilgrims' journey to Pakistan on special occasions. "Several requests have now been received from Sikh organisations and leaders to review the decision of the government and allow Sikh Jathas on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birth anniversary as it is important to the Sikh ethos and religious heritage. Accordingly, the government has now reviewed the restrictions imposed on travel of Sikh Jathas to Pakistan for this occasion only," said a letter from the Union home ministry to chief secretaries of northern states including Punjab. "While security threats to the Indian pilgrims exist and extreme caution is advised, the government has decided to allow travel of Sikh Jathas to Pakistan on the occasion of Guru Nanak's birth anniversary ...," the letter added. Sikh bodies, including SGPC, DSGMC, and the Akal Takht welcomed the Centre's government's decision to allow the Sikh jatha (group) to visit Nankana Sahib and other historic shrines in Pakistan, A senior officer in ministry of home affairs confirmed that "it had granted permission for Sikh pilgrims jathas to Pakistan, only based on state government's or UT administration recommended travellers". The officer added that "properly filled and approved applications by states have to be forwarded to the MHA and the MEA; and then also only those pilgrims who are approved by these two ministries will be able to travel via ICP Attari". The Parkash Gurpurb is celebrated every year at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. This year, it is being celebrated on November 5. The jatha (group of pilgrims) is scheduled to leave for Pakistan on November 4 from Amritsar through the Attari-Wagah border check post and will return on November 13 after attending the celebrations and paying obeisance at other historic gurdwaras, including Kartarpur Sahib, said SGPC officials. There is no clarity yet on the number of pilgrims who will be allowed to travel, but last year, the count was 2,551. The development comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, and India's response to the strike, Operation Sindoor. This will be the first Sikh pilgrimage allowed since the May 7-10 Operation Sindoor. On September 14, the Union external affairs ministry had denied permissions for the Sikh pilgrimage. SEE ALSO PAGE 3...