Pakistan issues visas to 114 Indian Hindu pilgrims

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued visas to a group of 114 Indian Hindu pilgrims for their visit to the Shree Katas Raj Temples in Punjab's Chakwal district.

According ot a press release from the high commission on Wednesday, the group of India pilgrims will travel to the prominent and sacred site, also known as the Qila Katas, from February 16 to 22.

Each year, a large number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions. A large number of Indian Hindus are also issued visas by the Pakistan High Commission on a regular basis to visit their families and friends in the neighbouring country.

The high commission said that the issuance of visas to Sikh and Hindu pilgrims is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s efforts for facilitating visits to religious shrines. The visit is covered under the bilateral Protocol on the Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974, it said.

Pakistan's Charge d’ Affaires in New Delhi, Salman Sharif, wished the Hindu pilgrims a spiritually rewarding pilgrimage. He said that Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious sites and providing all possible assistance to visiting pilgrims of all faiths.

Also read: India denies visas to 200 Pakistani pilgrims

The pilgrims will reach Pakistan on Thursday (Feb 16) via the Wagah border, officials of the Abandoned Waqf Estate Board will receive them.

After immigration, they will be taken to the Shri Katas Raj Chakwal by special buses, the commisison said in its statement.