New Delhi: Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi informed on Thursday that it has issued over 2200 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India who will be permitted to participate in Pakistan's annual festival starting from April 12.
The High Commission said, "On the eve of Baisakhi celebrations, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued over 2200 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled to be held in Pakistan from 12-21 April 2022."
Extending their best wishes to the travellers, the Pak High Commission added, "Chargé d'Affaires Aftab Hasan Khan, extended his heartfelt felicitations to the pilgrims and wished them a rewarding and fulfilling yatra. Pakistan takes immense pride in preserving sacred religious places and providing necessary facilitation to the visiting pilgrims, Cd’A."
This comes amid the political crisis in the neighbouring country. Pakistan President Arif Alvi had dissolved the National Assembly (Parliament) on the advice of Prime Minister Khan, minutes after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri rejected a no-confidence motion against the premier, who had effectively lost the majority in the 342-member lower house of Parliament on Sunday.
Pakistan's top court had taken cognizance of the current political situation in the country. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said that all orders and actions initiated by the Prime Minister and the President regarding the dissolution of the National Assembly will be subject to the court's order.
Pak President Alvi, the Supreme Court Bar Association and all political parties have been made respondents in the case.
If Imran Khan gets a favourable ruling, elections will take place within 90 days. If the court rules against the deputy speaker, the parliament will reconvene and hold the no-confidence vote against Imran Khan, experts said.