India Tightens Pakistan Pilgrimage Rules: Private Sponsored Tours Banned Amid Espionage Concerns

The Government of India has significantly tightened the rules for religious pilgrimages to Pakistan, banning all privately sponsored tours following security concerns. Under the new directives, pilgrim groups (jathas) will only be permitted to travel through officially recognized bodies, such as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC). The decision comes in the wake of revelations made by security agencies following 'Operation Sindoor' and the investigation into Hisar-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra. Investigators claimed that Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, along with certain private tour operators based in Pakistan, were allegedly attempting to recruit Indian citizens into espionage networks by sponsoring their religious trips under the guise of pilgrimage. To plug these security loopholes, the central government has imposed a complete ban on privately organized or sponsored tours to Pakistan. Going forward, private individuals or commercial tour agencies will no longer be authorized to facilitate religious delegation trips across the border. Confirming the development, Harkirat Singh, Tourism In-Charge at HSGMC, stated that privately sponsored tours have been halted following the exposure of spy networks involving individuals like Jyoti Malhotra. Authorities reiterated that the restriction has been enforced purely due to national security considerations, emphasizing that all future religious pilgrimages must adhere strictly to authorized institutional channels.