47 Indian Hindu pilgrims issue visas from Pakistan to visit temples, despite links between the two countries.
Hindu pilgrims will visit the Katas Raj temple in the Punjab Chakwal region from their arrival until December 29. The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued a statement on visas earlier this week.
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The statement said thousands of Indian Sikhs and Hindus visited Pakistan under the 1974 bilateral protocol to attend several religious festivals / events each year.
Relations between the two countries are weak because the Indian Air Force sent planes to Pakistan and accused Pakistan of planning attacks on Pulwama.
Another group of 44 Indian pilgrims returned from Pakistan on Monday after attending the celebration of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib’s 312th birthday at a temple in Sukur.
A statement from the High Commission said the government issued visas to Sikhs and Hindus to facilitate visits to religious shrines.
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The statement also stated that “the visas issued by New Delhi are in addition to the visas for Sikhs and Hindus attending the events from other countries.”
“Pakistan remains committed to protecting holy religious sites and expanding all possible facilities for visiting believers of all faiths,” the High Commission said.