Pakistan ‘regrets’ non-issuance of visas to its pilgrims for Urs from Jan 1-8

Islamabad: Pakistan on Saturday voiced regret over the non-issuance of visas by India to Pakistani pilgrims for the Urs (anniversary) of Hazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia in Delhi from January 1-8.

The visit was to take place under the provisions of the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines and is a regular, annual feature, said the Foreign Office in a statement, reports IANS.

It said the non-issuance of visas is “unfortunate and runs counter to the letter and spirit of the 1974 Protocol and objective of people-to-people contacts”.

The Foreign Office also said that earlier this year, “despite Pakistan’s offer to send a special train, Indian delays resulted in Sikh pilgrims from India being unable to participate in the Martyrdom Anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev and death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh”.