Every year, a large number of Indian pilgrims visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions….reports Asian Lite News
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday issued 215 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled on the eve of Martyrdom Day of Guru Arjan Dev Jee to be held in Pakistan from June 8-17, 2023.
The issuance of visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to fully implement the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974. Every year, a large number of Indian pilgrims visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions.
On the occasion, Charge d’Affaires Salman Sharif, wished the pilgrims a rewarding and fulfilling journey.
During their stay in Pakistan, the pilgrims will visit a number of holy sites including Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.
Earlier in April around 2, 856 Sikh pilgrims had gone to Pakistan to celebrate Vaishakhi.
The issuance of visas is covered under the framework of the ‘Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974’.
Every year, a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions. The visas issued from New Delhi are in addition to the visas granted to Sikh pilgrims participating in these events from other countries.
The issuance of visas to religious pilgrims by the High Commission is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to fully implement the bilateral protocol on visits to religious shrines between the two countries, the Pakistan Embassy in New Delhi said in a statement.
The Sikh pilgrims participated in the main event at Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal on April 14. During the visit, the pilgrims also visited Dera Sahib, Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib. (ANI)