Sikh pilgrim denied entry at Wagah border over 'dubious' travel documents

The pilgrim possessed a passport that had doubtful expiry details, FIA sources say

ISLAMABAD: A Sikh pilgrim was denied entry on Saturday at the Wagah border check-post by the immigration officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) due to dubious expiry date on his passport.

A total of 2,008 Sikh pilgrims arrived at the check-post in three trains to attend the three-day anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak, FIA sources said. One of them was denied entry due to doubtful expiry date on his passport and his name also couldn't be confirmed, they added.

Sikh pilgrims perform rituals at Gurudwara [place of worship] and take their children to visit historical places in Punjab.



This year, around 3,316 visas have been issued to Sikh devotees to celebrate the founder of the Sikh religion. The pilgrims will return to their homeland on November 19.

The FIA Immigration has placed Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) at the airports and border check-posts to inspect the credentials of passengers arriving in Pakistan. This system, for the past months, has been regularly identifying foreigners who have issues with their travel documents.



Being blacklisted may be another reason to be denied entry into the country. When identified, such persons are deported back to their country.

India and Pakistan have been involved in a tense diplomatic and verbal spat over the tense situation in occupied Kashmir. More than 100 protesters have lost their lives to the security forces in the valley while dozens blinded by use of pellet guns. The two countries have been at loggerheads after the killing of a populist rebel leader Burhan Wani by the occupied forces.