India Issues Limited Visas to Pakistani Pilgrims for Ajmer Sharif Urs
ISLAMABAD: Indian authorities have issued visas to only 100 Pakistani pilgrims for the annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer Sharif, falling significantly short of the allotted 500-visa quota.
According to Muhammad Umar Butt, spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, 400 potential pilgrims were denied visas this year. Despite these restrictions, 100 Pakistani pilgrims will travel to Ajmer Sharif via the Wagah border on Sunday.
“These pilgrims will participate in religious ceremonies at the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, affectionately known as Gharib Nawaz,” Butt stated.
In contrast, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 94 visas to Indian pilgrims attending the 316th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Shiv Avtari Stguru Sant Shadaram Sahib at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi, Sindh, from January 5 to 15.
Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich extended his wishes for a fulfilling pilgrimage and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to preserving sacred sites and facilitating pilgrims.
The issuance of visas is governed by the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines.
In November, Pakistan issued over 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims for Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary celebrations in Pakistan.
