Krishna’s visit may bring glad tidings for Pakistani, Indian pilgrims

According to sources, both countries’ foreign secretaries will finalise the visa regime draft.


Abdul Manan September 07, 2012

LAHORE:


Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna’s visit to Pakistan may, in addition to easing visa restrictions for traders on both sides, bring welcome news for pilgrims across both sides of the border.


Sources privy to developments informed The Express Tribune that more religious ceremonies will be accessible to Muslim, Hindu and Sikh pilgrims, and the restriction barring them from visiting the other country more than once a year will likely be forgone.

Krishna, who is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan today (Friday), will sign an agreement pertaining to a new visa regime.

According to sources, both countries’ foreign secretaries will finalise the visa regime draft, prepared in their previous interactions, during the upcoming round of talks. Information received by The Express Tribune suggests that the final draft will incorporate recommendations to ease visa restrictions pertaining to various religious festivals and ritual ceremonies.

Under the Pant-Mirza Agreement of 1955, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan and India have been allowed to visit the other country once a year to participate in any of the various religious ceremonies held in both countries. Sources said under the new visa regime, this restriction will likely be removed and pilgrims from both countries will be given unlimited chances to visit and participate in religious festivals in the other country.

An increase in the number of pilgrims allowed to cross the border proportionately to their population has also been recommended.

The number of religious ceremonies in Pakistan open for Indian pilgrims may also be increased. The two official Hindu festivals in Pakistan, which are open to Indian pilgrims, are the Hayat Pitafi festival at Mirpur (Shadani Darbar) and Katas Raj festival at Chakwal. Two hundred pilgrims each from across the border will be allowed to partake in the two festivals.  The third Hindu festival likely to be opened for Indian pilgrims is the Hinglaj Mata festival in Lasbela.

Likewise, the four Sikh festivals in Pakistan open for Indian visitors are the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, commemoration of Guru Arjun Dev’s martyrdom and Baisakhi Hasanabdal. Three thousand Indian pilgrims each will be allowed for both Baba Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary and Baisakhi Hasanabdal, while 1,000 pilgrims will be allowed for Guru Arjun Dev’s martyrdom day and 500 for Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary.

The three other Sikh festivals in Pakistan likely to be opened for Indians are the Joti Jot festival, Gur Ram Das’s birth anniversary and the Saka festival in Nankana Sahib.

Meanwhile, 500 Pakistani Muslims will be allowed to visit Ajmer Sharif for Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s urs (death anniversary).

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2012.

COMMENTS (7)

Desh Premi | 11 years ago | Reply

Bold step by both countries to liberalise the visa regime. Time to move ahead...Both have has lot to gain..

Indian Catholic | 11 years ago | Reply

@Naresh: Not sure if Mr. Fiqh is being sarcastic. I mean, look at his name. :)

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