Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has approved 104 visas for Indian Hindu pilgrims set to partake in the 315th birth anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib at Shadani Darbar in Sindh.
Scheduled to take place from December 12 to 23, 2023, the pilgrimage has received warm wishes from Charge’d’Affaires Aizaz Khan, who expressed heartfelt felicitations and ensured a safe journey for the participants.
Under the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, a significant number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims annually cross borders to attend diverse religious festivals and events in Pakistan.
@PakinIndia has issued 104 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims for their visit to Pakistan to participate in the 315th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi,Sindh from 12-23 December 2023. @ForeignOfficePk
— Pakistan High Commission India (@PakinIndia) December 8, 2023
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The issuance of pilgrimage visas aligns with the Pakistani government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate visits to religious shrines, emphasizing the promotion of interfaith harmony, as highlighted in a recent press release from the high commission.
Notably, Sikh pilgrims from various parts of the world, including India, recently concluded their visit to Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal on December 1. During their three-day stay, the pilgrims actively participated in religious ceremonies, particularly marking the birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak.
Stringent security measures, overseen directly by Attock DPO, were implemented throughout the stay, ensuring a secure environment. Before bidding farewell, pilgrims observed customary rituals and expressed gratitude to the local administration for impeccably organizing their visit.
Sardar Balvinder Singh, leader of the Bhai Mardana Parbandhak Committee in Delhi, commended the Pakistani government’s commendable efforts in maintaining and restoring gurdwaras.