This year marks the beginning of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of the founder of the Sikh religion Guru Nanak, whose birthplace is located in modern-day Pakistan.
Every year, pilgrims flock to Nankana Sahib where three-day long celebrations take place, and this year, the number of people wanting to visit will rise exponentially.
Speaking to SBS Punjabi from Auckland in New Zealand, Mr Bakshi, who has been elected to the New Zealand parliament in four successive elections said, "I know myself that every year it takes pilgrims many many months to get a visa to to to Pakistan, in order to visit Nankana Sahib. And that too, only a limited number of people are granted a visa to partake of the annual celebration."
"Since we are now commemorating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak patshah, I have written to the honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan to grant a Vatican status to Nankana Sahib. This is so that any follower of Guru Nanak - not just Sikhs - are able to partake of the celebrations in this milestone year."
Mr Bakshi clarified that he wasn't asking for an independent jurisdiction to be carved out ( like Vatican city), rather greater and better access to Nankana Sahib.
Letter from New Zealand MP Kanwaljit Bakshi to Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan Source: Supplied
"I'm saying that people will still take a visa to visit Pakistan and only then go to Nankana Sahib. What I'm seeking is for unrestricted access to the holy place - just like the Vatican is for any Christian in the world."
"I believe this will be good for Pakistan and it's tourism industry."
"Now that Pakistan has a democratically elected Prime Minister who is willing to listen to the people, this would be an invaluable gift to the followers of Guru Nanak across the world," Mr Bakshi told SBS Punjabi.
He noted, "India's External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has already announced that this momentous occasion will be celebrated at all missions around the world, and I eagerly await a response from Pakistan's government."
Mr Bakshi was recently named one of the 25 Most Influential people of Indian origin in New Zealand, and has previously been inducted into the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame as it's inaugural inductee.
Source: Supplied
He spoke with pride about this latest achievement, saying "One of the main reasons why I came to NZ parliament in 2008 was to improve the bilateral relations between New Zealand and India."
"I have been part of two ministerial delegations from New Zealand to India under the auspices of ex Prime Minister John Key, and eagerly look forward to forging this relationship further."
Follow SBS Punjabi on Facebook and Twitter.
More from SBS Punjabi
‘Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary will be celebrated across the globe’
