Islamabad: Pakistan’s security agencies are reportedly planning to use the upcoming visit of Indian Sikh pilgrims to push anti-India narratives, according to a report by Khalsa Vox.
Citing social media chatter, the report said an inter-agency meeting was held on August 2 at Hotel Gulbarg in Lahore, attended by security officials, representatives of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC). At the meeting, security agencies allegedly suggested displaying anti-India banners and slogans at gurdwaras, a proposal opposed by both the ETPB and PSGPC.
An ETPB Additional Secretary reportedly cautioned that politicizing pilgrimages could lead India to suspend them indefinitely, a move that would deepen financial losses. The ETPB has already suffered monthly losses of around 70 million Pakistani rupees since the closure of the Kartarpur Corridor on May 8, further worsened by the cancellation of two major annual Sikh pilgrimages.
The official stressed that religious gatherings must remain apolitical and that pilgrim itineraries are managed in coordination with various agencies. While the ETPB pledged to follow federal directives, he said it was equally important to preserve the sanctity of religious events.
Despite such objections, security agencies have reportedly suggested holding seminars and interactions near pilgrims’ accommodations to spread narratives on alleged discrimination against Sikhs in India, claims of gurdwara attacks, and other controversial issues. The strategy, according to social media posts, includes amplifying these messages on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Commentators cited in the report suggested Pakistan may be attempting to exploit historical grievances, perceptions of economic marginalization, and disinformation to influence sections of the Sikh diaspora. They described the move as a calculated but risky blend of religious access with political agendas.