Tensions mar Pakistani pilgrims’ visit to India

Considerable drop in the number of applications from intending pilgrims this year

ISLAMABAD: In the wake of simmering tensions between Pakistan and India, this year fewer Pakistanis will visit the shrines of Sufi saints in India to attend the annual urs.

The ties between the nuclear neighbours have strained of late due to incidents like the death sentencing of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in Pakistan and intermittent firing by the Indian forces at the Line of Control (LoC).

Given the prevailing situation, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has received fewer applications this year from intending pilgrims, it was learnt on Thursday.

As part of a bilateral agreement, hundreds of pilgrims from both sides visit each other's country every year.

During the current month, the ministry invited applications from intending pilgrims for two annual urs to be held in India – that of Hafiz Abdullah Shah from December 21 to 28 in Agra; and of Hazart Khawaja Allauddin from November 30 to December 7 in Kalyar Sharif.

Talking to The Express Tribune, an official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs described the response as “so far lukewarm.”



“As compared to previous years, this year there has been a considerable drop in the number of applications received from devotees intending to attend the annual urs being held in India,” he said, noting that the number of applications received this year had been halved as compared to the last year.

Earlier in the current month, a 50-member delegation of Pakistani students, their teachers and staffers were forced to cut short their visit to India amid Indian allegations that Pakistani troops had mutilated bodies of two of their soldiers -- a claim denied by Pakistan.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Muhammad Amin-ul Hasnat Shah said, “We are confident that India will not create any kind of hurdle or impose any restriction on issuance of visas to the devotees or do anything that will make them feel insecure.”



He described “the nature of this visit” to India as “entirely different” from that of other visits, insisting that all such trips are well planned and managed.

The minister warned that the devotees from Pakistan should not face any kind of security threat or an issue in India, mentioning the warm welcome accorded to Sikh pilgrims arriving in Pakistan to attend their religious festivals.

“When the Ministry of Religious Affairs invites applications for urs, it takes at least six months to complete the clearance procedure of devotees visiting India,” he added.