For the annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer Sharif, Indian authorities have issued only 100 visas to Pakistani pilgrims, compared to the designated quota of 500 visas.
According to Muhammad Umar Butt, spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, 400 potential pilgrims are not going this year due to India’s decision. The travel barrier, however, promises that 100 Pakistani nationals will be in Ajmer Sharif on Sunday via the Wagah border.
“This pilgrimage will include rituals at the shrine of the esteemed Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, known as Gharib Nawaz,” Butt added.
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Meanwhile, for the 316th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, the Indian High Commission in New Delhi has issued just 94 visas for the Indian pilgrimage to Pakistan. The date for the event in question is January 5 to January 15. It is at the Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi in Sindh.
Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich extended his heartiest wishes to Indian pilgrims, hoping that they would have a fruitful spiritual journey spiritually. He also reaffirmed the commitment of Pakistan to preserve sacred religious sites and support pilgrim visits.
The protocol Pakistan-India on Visits to Religious Shrines dictates the issuance of visas under it and was established in 1974.
Interestingly enough, in November, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi granted more than 3,000 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan to mark the event of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday.