The issuance of pilgrimage visas to Sikh and Hindu pilgrims is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s efforts for facilitating visits to religious shrines
Caravan News
NEW DELHI — Pakistan on Thursday issued visas to 88 Hindu Pilgrims from India to visit Shadani Darbar in Sukkur ( Sindh) and Shree Katas Raj in Chakwal (Punjab). Earlier a group of 57 Indian Pilgrims visited Pakistan to participat in Birth Anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru in Sukkur.
According to a press note, the issuance of pilgrimage visas to Sikh and Hindu pilgrims is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s efforts for facilitating visits to religious shrines. “Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious places and extending all possible facilitation for the visiting pilgrims of all faiths.”
The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi said it has issued visas in November and December this year to two groups of Indian Hindu pilgrims to visit their religious sites in Pakistan.
A group of 57 Indian Pilgrims has already returned from Pakistan where they participated in the 311th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Sukkur, Sindh from November 24 to December 5, 2019, the Commission informed.
Shadani Darbar, more than 300 years old temple, is a sacred place for Hindu devotees from across the globe. The Shadani Darbar was founded in 1786 by Sant Shadaram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708.
The second group of 88 Indian Hindu pilgrims has been issued visas on Thursday for visiting Shree Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas or complex of Katas Temples in Chakwal district of Punjab from December 13-19, 2019. Katas Raj temples surround a pond which is considered sacred by Hindus.
Under the Pakistan-India Protocol on visits to religious shrines of 1974, a large number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals/occasions every year. The Pakistan High Commission said the visas issued here are in addition to the visas issued to Sikh and Hindu pilgrims participating in these events from other countries.
