The authorities in the two countries should exempt religious occasions and pilgrimages from political turmoil
KARACHI: First cricket and the entertainment industry and now religious festivities have been caught up in the India-Pakistan cold relationship. Recently, India accused Pakistan of not allowing visas to pilgrims from India for religious rituals at Katas Raj. However, in response Pakistan stated that New Delhi forced the pilgrims to cancel their visa requests. A similar situation was witnessed when visitors from India were supposed to visit the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan.
The authorities in the two countries should spare and possibly exempt religious occasions and pilgrimages from political turmoil, especially considering that the two countries are already engaged in unfavourable arrangements on multiple fronts, including trade and cultural exchange. Let’s not drag religion into politics.
Imran Ameen
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2018.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
