ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday expressed disappointment at India for not issuing visas to 503 Pakistani pilgrims to visit the shrine of Sufi Saint Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the visit was supposed to take place under the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, and is an annual feature. The pilgrims were to participate in the Urs (death anniversary) of Chishti from March 19-29.
Due to India’s decision, the pilgrims “have been deprived of the opportunity to participate in the Urs, which is of special significance,” the ministry said in a statement.
It is “ironic” because Chishti “has for centuries been the symbol of bringing communities closer to each other,” it said, adding that 192 Pakistani pilgrims could not participate in the Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia in New Delhi from Jan. 1-8 due to the non-issuance of visas by India.
“During 2017, despite Pakistan’s offer to send a special train, Indian delays had resulted in Sikh yatrees (pilgrims) from India being unable to participate in the Martyrdom Anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev and the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh,” the ministry said.
It added that in February 2018, Islamabad made all the arrangements for the visit of 173 pilgrims, but they were forced to withdraw their applications from the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi due to the lack of necessary clearance by India’s External Affairs Ministry.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry described New Delhi’s actions as a violation of the 1974 protocol “and the basic human right to religious freedom.”
It added: “Such measures also undermine efforts aimed at improving the environment, increasing people-to-people contacts and normalizing relations between the two countries.”
Pakistan disappointed at Indian non-issuance of visas to pilgrims
Pakistan disappointed at Indian non-issuance of visas to pilgrims
