Pakistan issues 2200 visas to Sikh pilgrims on the eve of Baisakhi celebrations
TNN | Apr 9, 2019, 20:39 IST
NEW DELHI: Pakistan has issued 2200 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual Baisakhi celebrations from 12-21 April 2019.
Pakistan high commission here said in a statement that under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals/occasions every year.
Pakistan’s high commissioner Sohail Mahmood said that the gesture to issue these visas was reflective of the ``reverence attached to Baisakhi, both in its religious and cultural dimensions’’.
``Besides marking the start of the new Sikh year, Baisakhi is the time to harvest the rabi crop. We extend our profound greetings and felicitations to all our brothers and sisters celebrating this auspicious occasion and wish the visiting pilgrims a spiritually fulfilling journey,’’ said Mahmood.
The 2200 visas issued by the Pakistan high commission are in addition to the visas granted to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from other countries.
During their visit to Pakistan, the Yatrees would visit the holiest shrines of Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur Sahib.
``The issuance of these pilgrimage visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate visits to religious shrines and strengthen people-to-people exchanges. This also reflects the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to faithfully implement the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines. Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious places and extending all possible facilitation for the visiting pilgrims of all faiths,’’ said the Pakistan mission in its statement.
Pakistan high commission here said in a statement that under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals/occasions every year.
Pakistan’s high commissioner Sohail Mahmood said that the gesture to issue these visas was reflective of the ``reverence attached to Baisakhi, both in its religious and cultural dimensions’’.
``Besides marking the start of the new Sikh year, Baisakhi is the time to harvest the rabi crop. We extend our profound greetings and felicitations to all our brothers and sisters celebrating this auspicious occasion and wish the visiting pilgrims a spiritually fulfilling journey,’’ said Mahmood.
The 2200 visas issued by the Pakistan high commission are in addition to the visas granted to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from other countries.
During their visit to Pakistan, the Yatrees would visit the holiest shrines of Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur Sahib.
``The issuance of these pilgrimage visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate visits to religious shrines and strengthen people-to-people exchanges. This also reflects the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to faithfully implement the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines. Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious places and extending all possible facilitation for the visiting pilgrims of all faiths,’’ said the Pakistan mission in its statement.
Download The Times of India News App for Latest India News.
Making sense of 2019
#Electionswithtimes
View Full Coverage
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE