LAHORE:
The only functional land crossing between Pakistan and India, the Wagah border, has remained closed or partially operational due to bilateral tensions over the past year, severely affecting travel, trade, pilgrimages and people-to-people contacts.
Daily flag lowering ceremonies continued into the new year. However, in April, a major security incident in Pulwama triggered a sharp escalation, leading to the suspension of visa facilities, restricted diplomatic contacts and the closure of the Wagah-Atari border.
In response, Pakistan tightened its visa policy for Indian citizens and suspended travel at the Wagah border. At the end of April, the passage was effectively closed. Tensions further escalated in May when India launched missile strikes on various parts of Pakistan.
Brief but intense military clashes took place between the nuclear-armed neighbors from May 7 to 10. Pakistan described the strikes as an act of open aggression and carried out effective defensive operations.
Throughout 2025, no formal dialogue process took place between the two countries. Decisions on visas, trade and border management remained blocked, affecting Wagah’s border operations.
The Kartarpur corridor also remained closed during the year.
Border closures have disrupted tourism, family visits, weddings and cultural exchanges. Tourist arrivals, which had been stable in the first quarter, fell to zero after the May clashes. Overall, the year 2025 saw an approximately 80% drop in visitors to Wagah compared to previous years. Although Independence Day parades were held on both sides in August, attendance remained limited.
Pilgrimages have also been affected. On January 5, 102 Pakistani pilgrims visited India to attend the Urs of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti. On April 12, India issued visas to 188 Pakistani pilgrims for Amir Khusro’s Urs.
Pakistan issued visas to 6,700 Indian Sikh pilgrims for Baisakhi celebrations in April and later hosted 2,100 Indian pilgrims for the 556th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak in November.
Limited exchanges of prisoners and the return of convicts continued on humanitarian grounds.
