Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has welcomed the possibility of Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visiting Pakistan, following a formal invitation from a senior provincial minister.
Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora invited Mann and members of the Indian Punjab Assembly to visit Pakistan on October 27, 2026.
Arora, who also heads the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, said Maryam Nawaz would be pleased to welcome the Indian leader.
Pakistan Invites Bhagwant Mann to Visit Kartarpur
Arora encouraged Mann and Indian Punjab lawmakers to visit Kartarpur Sahib and other religious landmarks across Pakistan.
He described Pakistan as a country committed to religious tolerance, cultural diversity, and interfaith harmony.
The minister also emphasized constitutional protections for citizens belonging to different religious communities.
He said such visits could strengthen cultural connections and encourage peaceful relations between neighboring countries.
Bhagwant Mann Expresses Interest in Lahore Conference
The invitation follows Mann’s recent announcement about attending the fourth International Punjabi Conference in Lahore.
The conference is scheduled for November 27 to 29, 2026.
Mann confirmed receiving an invitation from conference organizers and expressed interest in participating.
He highlighted the shared cultural heritage of communities living on both sides of the international border.
However, Mann raised concerns about obtaining travel permission from India’s central government.
Indian Punjab Assembly Speaker Also Interested
During an assembly discussion, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan expressed interest in accompanying Mann to Pakistan.
Mann responded by suggesting that assembly members could visit Kartarpur together.
The proposed visit comes amid strained diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India.
Although Pakistani officials have welcomed the delegation, no official visit has been confirmed.
The final decision will depend on travel approvals and relevant government procedures.
