Pakistan has granted 2,856 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to take part in the annual Baisakhi celebrations, starting from tomorrow. The visas were issued by the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974.
The visas granted in New Delhi were in addition to the visas granted to Sikh pilgrims from other countries who are also participating in the event. Speaking about the occasion, the Charge d’Affaires of Pakistan High Commission, Salman Sharif, expressed Pakistan’s commitment to preserving sacred religious places and providing necessary facilitation to visiting pilgrims.
The Sikh pilgrims will visit several religious sites during their trip, including Dera Sahib, Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur Sahib, before returning to India on April 18. Pakistan is renowned for its rich and diverse culture and is home to numerous religious sites of historical and cultural significance.
The Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines was established to promote goodwill and understanding between the two countries, and it has facilitated visits by numerous pilgrims from India over the years. The protocol allows for the granting of visas to Indian citizens of all faiths who wish to visit religious shrines in Pakistan.
Pakistan has a long history of preserving and protecting religious sites of historical and cultural significance. The country is home to numerous religious sites, including Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas, and Sikh gurdwaras. Pakistan’s government has made significant efforts to promote interfaith harmony and tolerance in recent years, and the granting of visas to Sikh pilgrims is a testament to its commitment to promoting religious freedom and cultural diversity.
The Baisakhi celebrations are an essential event in the Sikh calendar and are celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm by Sikhs all over the world. The annual event marks the harvest season and is a time for renewal and reflection.
In conclusion, the granting of visas to Sikh pilgrims by Pakistan is a positive step towards promoting religious tolerance and cultural diversity in the region. The Baisakhi celebrations provide an opportunity for Sikhs from India and Pakistan to come together and celebrate their shared cultural heritage. The protocol on visits to religious shrines is an essential mechanism for promoting goodwill and understanding between Pakistan and India, and it is hoped that it will continue to facilitate visits by pilgrims from both countries in the future.