Pakistani pilgrims face cold reception in India

Unlike the plot of every twisted romantic melodrama, foreign relations are contingent upon a mutual effort made by both the countries to improve their bilateral ties for the betterment of their people yet when it comes to the complicated, one-sided affair that exists between Pakistan and India, the tattered rope of diplomatic goodwill seems to be hanging loosely from the neighbouring nation’s end.

Under the religious tourism agreement signed between Pakistan and India in 1974 and 1999, Pakistan issues visas to Indian Sikh and Hindu pilgrims to visit their religious sites at the shrines of Sakhi Nankana Sahib, Baba Guru Nanak, and Guru Ram Das Ji, and to attend important festivals held at Shadani Darbar Ghotki, the Shivratri festival at Katas Raj Mandir Chakwal, and the Kartik Puja festival at the same location.

Similarly, India too issues visas to Pakistani Muslim pilgrims every year to visit the shrines of Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Sani, Hazrat Khwaja Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir, Hazrat Hafiz Abdullah Shah, Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, and Hazrat Amir Khusro.

While Indian Sikh and Hindu pilgrims visiting Pakistan are given red carpet treatment by both officials and locals, Pakistani civilian pilgrims visiting India are seldom treated with the same level of amity and hospitality by the Indian authorities, who police them around like prisoners, unwarrantedly restricting their movement in the country, all under the absurd guise of maintaining security.

Malik Yousuf Sikandar, a local from Lahore, shared his horrible experience visiting New Delhi as a green passport holder. “In April, I went to India for attending the Urs celebrations of Hazrat Amir Khusro. However, my journey was extremely unpleasant. All pilgrims were accommodated in a hotel in Delhi, where Indian police and intelligence agencies kept a strict watch, not even allowing us to visit each other’s rooms. A fellow pilgrim had an Indian relative, who visited the hotel to meet him but was not allowed by the security officials,” shared Sikandar.

Similarly, Tariq Mehmood, who visited India to attend the annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, was hoping to receive a warm welcome from the host country however, soon after his arrival all his hopes were shattered. “We were only allowed to visit the hotel and the shrine and were not allowed to explore the city or visit historical sites. All 230 pilgrims were restricted to their hotel and only allowed to visit the shrine during prayer times. Just like Indian pilgrims are given a warm welcome at the Wagah Border, with special transportation, accommodation, and security arrangements, Pakistani pilgrims too should be treated with the same level of respect,” expressed Mehmood.

According to Abdul Basit Khan, former Ambassador to India, India had failed to reciprocate the gestures of peace initiated by Pakistan. “Pakistani’s are generally very hospitable and respectful towards Indian pilgrims.

However, India is not interested in allowing Pakistani tourists to visit their country since they suspect that Pakistan may send intelligence personnel along with the pilgrims. Hence, they issue very few visas and restrict the activities of the tourists in the name of security,” asserted Khan.

Speaking to the Express Tribune on the matter, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony said, “If Pakistani pilgrims face any difficulties in India, their complaints are forwarded to the Foreign Ministry so that they can take up the matter with Indian authorities. Moreover, officials from the Pakistani High Commission also meet with Pakistani pilgrims traveling to India and try to provide them with all possible facilities and address their complaints.”