Pakistan Offers Visa to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann

The Government of Pakistan announced on November 6, 2026, that it would consider issuing a visa to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann if he wishes to visit the country. The offer follows an invitation for Mann to attend the World Punjabi Conference in Lahore on November 27. Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated that while Islamabad is open to the visit, the final outcome depends on whether the Indian government permits Mann to travel.

Mann previously announced on October 23 that he had received the invitation, citing shared culture and linguistic connections between the two regions. He has also expressed a desire for members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly to visit Kartarpur Sahib should the corridor reopen.

Movement through the Kartarpur Corridor has been suspended since May 7, 2025, following Indian military strikes under Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Despite this closure, Khan emphasized Pakistan's commitment to facilitating religious visits, noting the issuance of thousands of visas to Indian Sikh and Hindu pilgrims throughout 2025 and 2026.