Many Sikh families living in Pakistan are finding it difficult to find a suitable match for their children and are keen to settle them in India.

A delegation of visiting Pakistani Sikh pilgrims said due to restrictions imposed by both the countries, they have been forced to marry their wards to relatives.

They said only 30,000 Sikhs are residing in Pakistan and now they want to settle their daughters and sons in India, especially in Indian Punjab.

"We are in a minority in Pakistan and want to settle our sons and daughters in India, especially in Punjab, for enhancing their marriage prospects," a Pakistani Sikh hailing from Peshawar, said in Patiala.

Another Sikh woman said, "There are few families of Sikhs and Hindus in Pakistan. Therefore, we are finding it difficult to find suitable partners for our children."

Bishan Singh said that if both the governments open borders "we will not find any difficulty."

Swaran Singh, another leader of the Sikh delegation, said, due to visa restrictions, many Pakistani Sikh families are exploring the prospect of getting their children married to community members settled in other countries.

Sarbat Singh, who hails from Peshawar and is also the president of local gurdawara committee there, said they have experienced problems in getting visas from Indian government.

The Sikhs are on a pilgrimage to Punjab under the leadership of the president of Pakistan Gurdawara Parbandak Committee Bishan Singh.