'Committed To Preserving Sacred Religious Places', Says Pakistan After Issuing 215 Visas To Sikh Pilgrims

"Every year, a large number of Indian Yatrees visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals/occasions," the statement said.

Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Pakistan

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New Delhi: On the eve of the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued 215 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival scheduled to be held in Pakistan from 8-17 June, an official statement revealed on Tuesday.

The issuance of visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to fully implement the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, the statement said.

"Every year, a large number of Indian Yatrees visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals/occasions," the statement added.

Expressing his views on the occasion, Pakistan Chargé d’Affaires Salman Sharif wished the pilgrims a rewarding and fulfilling journey.

"Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious places as well as providing necessary facilitation to the visiting pilgrims," he added.

According to the statement, during their stay in Pakistan, the pilgrims would visit a number of holy sites including Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. 

They will enter Pakistan on June 8 and return to India on June 17.