81 Hindu pilgrims issued visas
India and Pakistan have agreed on a set of principles for facilitating visits to such shrines
Hindu pilgrims queue outside the Sabarimala Temple to offer prayers to the Hindu deity 'Ayappa', about 70 kms west of the town Pathanamthtta in Kerala, on January 15,2003. PHOTO: REUTERS
Islamabad has issued visas to 81 Hindu pilgrims to attend the 308th birthday celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Saheb, the Press Trust of India reported on Monday.
In an effort to improve people to people contact Pakistan issued the visas under the 1974 bilateral protocol. Taking “note of the sentiments and devotion of the various communities in the two countries for the historic and sacred shrines in the other”, India and Pakistan have agreed on a set of principles for facilitating visits to such shrines.
India detains dozens of Pakistani Hindu pilgrims
As per the protocol, such visits from one country to the other shall be allowed without discrimination as to religion or sect and every effort should continue to be made to ensure that places of religious worship mentioned in the agreed list are properly maintained and their sanctity preserved.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2016.
In an effort to improve people to people contact Pakistan issued the visas under the 1974 bilateral protocol. Taking “note of the sentiments and devotion of the various communities in the two countries for the historic and sacred shrines in the other”, India and Pakistan have agreed on a set of principles for facilitating visits to such shrines.
India detains dozens of Pakistani Hindu pilgrims
As per the protocol, such visits from one country to the other shall be allowed without discrimination as to religion or sect and every effort should continue to be made to ensure that places of religious worship mentioned in the agreed list are properly maintained and their sanctity preserved.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2016.