The conversion and marriage of a Sikh woman from India, who traveled to Pakistan on a pilgrimage visa, has sparked a new controversy. In protest, Nankana Sahib Sikh leader Mahinder Pal Singh has filed a public interest litigation in the Lahore High Court. The petition, filed through Advocate Ali Changezi Sandhu, accuses the Indian Sikh traveler of violating visa rules and staying illegally in Pakistan.
The petition, filed by Mahinder Pal Singh (former Punjab Assembly Member and former Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minority Affairs), names the central government of Pakistan, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the FIA, and the Punjab government as parties to the suit.
Major claims made in the petition
Sarabjit Kaur, a resident of Muktasar district (Punjab, India), arrived in Pakistan on November 4, 2025, on a 10-day single-entry religious visa. This visa was valid until November 13th, and her travel was limited to religious sites such as Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur. According to the petition, Sarabjit Kaur did not comply with the visa conditions and continued to reside illegally in Pakistan even after the visa expired. The petition also claims that cases of fraud and forgery have been registered against Sarabjit Kaur in Bathinda and Kapurthala, India. Issuing a visa to such a person, allowing them to cross the border and move freely within the country, poses a serious security risk. Key Concerns in the Petition
Any traveler arriving on a pilgrimage visa cannot enter into a Nikah, convert to Islam, marry, reside, or take up any long-term legal status. Such incidents could impact the security of Sikh pilgrimages, the Kartarpur Corridor, and trust between the two countries. The petition also expresses fears that the woman could be subjected to pressure, illegal detention, or psychological abuse.
