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). PHOTO: FILE
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 11th, 2013.
COMMENTS (5)
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Its a wrong move on the part of India. Social intercourse should be allowed for religious/ studies/ tourist purposes. Distance begets hatred and mutual suspicion. the more the flow of normal people ( not politicians or military ) on both sides of the border the more the tolerence and understanding will grow .
Weird. Sajjada Nasheen of Ajmer Sharif announced its support to PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
Is it also because Salman Chisti announced its support to PTI Chairman Imran Khan ?
The title should be: ...to Ajmer Sharif and NOT from Ajmer Sharif. What a bunch of Prosimians with journalistic pretensions!
Is it not an Obvious mistake in the title of the story .... Ajmer Sharif is in India ... and not in Pakistan... It has become a regular occurrence that a newspaper of your stature is committing gross errors in simple Grammar and totally out of context Titles .... SAD...