Tensions aside: India, Pakistan indulge in faith tourism

Religious affairs ministry invites applications for annual Urs of Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Sani at Sirhind Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Despite simmering tensions between Pakistan and India over the death sentence to an Indian spy, violation of ceasefire at LoC and increasing brutality in held Kashmir, the two nuclear-armed neighbours continue to facilitate each other's pilgrims intending to visit religious sites located on both sides of the border.

While around 1,300 Sikhs arrived in Pakistan last week to attend the annual 319th Khalsa Janam Din and Baisakhi festival at Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hassan Abdal, Pakistan's religious ministry has invited applications from pilgrims who plan to visit India for the annual Urs of Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Sani at Sirhind Sharif, India.

The annual Urs will be held from November 16 to 23 this year.



An official handout of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Islamabad on Monday invited Ziarat applications from interested pilgrims till April 24.

Ballot, if required, for 200 Pakistani pilgrims will be held on May 19, the statement added.

Pakistan and India facilitate each other's citizens as part of efforts to promote people-to-people contact and religious tourism.

Talking to The Express Tribune, ministry of religious affairs’ official said both Pakistan and India had signed an agreement, according to which, they will send their nationals to each other’s country to attend religious festivals.



Every year, around six major Urs take place in India, said the official and added that about 1,000 pilgrims from Pakistan attend five Urs, while 500 participate in Ajmer Sharif’s Urs.

“It is estimated that every year 1,500 pilgrims travel to India to attend these Urs where they are welcomed wholeheartedly and provided all required comfort and security,” said the official.

However, sometimes their visits get cancelled at the 11th hour, said the official.