Strained ties: India bars pilgrims from Ajmer Sharif

ISLAMABAD:

India on Friday barred Pakistani travellers from visiting the holy shrine in Ajmer Sharif due to security threats, in what appears to be a the latest setback to efforts seeking normalisation of ties.

As many as 600 Pakistani pilgrims were scheduled to visit Ajmer Sharif on May 13 to attend the annual Urs of the revered Sufi saint, Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA).

According to The Times of India newspaper, Pakistan advised pilgrims not to participate in the annual ‘urs’ as it could not ensure their security. The Indian deputy high commissioner conveyed to Islamabad that the visit should be cancelled in view of the recent bilateral incidents.

“The Indian deputy high commissioner conveyed that following recent bilateral incidents, the government would not be in a position to ensure the safety of the pilgrims from Pakistan,” said a foreign ministry statement, adding that the India had recommended Pakistan that the pilgrims’ visit this year may be called off. The development came days after Pakistan advised its citizens to exercise ‘due caution and care’ following reports that their security might be in jeopardy in India.

The travel advisory was issued days after Pakistani prisoner, Sanaullah, was attacked in a jail in Jammu by an Indian soldier. He later succumbed to injuries.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2013.