New Delhi, November 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pakistan has stepped up its outreach to the Sikh community in India and abroad through initiatives focused on restoring and reopening historic gurdwaras. However, Indian intelligence agencies are viewing these efforts with caution, suspecting that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) could use religious engagement to expand its network and revive Khalistan-related activities in Punjab.
An Intelligence Bureau official said Pakistan was focusing on Sikh religious sites to encourage visits and increase people-to-people interactions. The official alleged that the ISI-backed elements could attempt to exploit religious sentiments to influence sections of the Sikh community and promote Khalistan ideology.
Pakistan recently reopened the historic Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib on Temple Road in Lahore, which had remained closed since Partition in 1947. It is also planning to expand Gurdwara Janam Asthan Guru Ram Das Ji in Lahore’s Chuna Mandi by incorporating adjoining commercial land to provide more space and facilities for religious ceremonies.
An intelligence official questioned the timing of these initiatives, noting that Punjab is preparing for Assembly elections in 2027. Intelligence assessments suggest that the ISI is seeking to rebuild its network of handlers, recruiters and local contacts to strengthen its influence in the state.
The outreach is also aimed at Sikhs living abroad, officials said. According to the assessments cited by them, support for the Khalistan movement has declined among sections of the Sikh community, while attempts to promote a violent agenda have found limited traction. The ISI is suspected of shifting towards religious outreach to connect with people through cultural and religious activities.
Officials also highlighted what they described as a contradiction between Pakistan’s efforts to promote Sikh heritage and the alleged persecution of religious minorities within the country. The report cited estimates that Pakistan’s Sikh population has declined from around 20 lakh at the time of Partition to approximately 15,998. It also referred to reports of around 30,000 Sikhs leaving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past decade, citing extortion by terrorist groups and alleged state patronage.
The report further cited allegations of forced conversions involving minor girls from minority communities and noted that fewer than 20 of the hundreds of gurdwaras that existed in areas now forming Pakistan remain operational. Pakistan’s treatment of minorities has also been cited in the context of India’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Separately, intelligence assessments indicate that the ISI has directed its alleged networks to increase the smuggling of weapons, ammunition and narcotics using drones. Officials believe the agency could combine such activities with radicalisation and disinformation campaigns and targeted killings in the run-up to the 2027 Punjab elections.
Security agencies are preparing to address these potential challenges while ensuring peaceful elections, an official said.
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