Pakistan issues visas to Indian Pilgrims for visit to Hindu Temple in Sukkur

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued visas to over 220 Hindu pilgrims from India to participate in the 310th birthday celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Sukkur, from December 5-16, 2018.

Under the framework of the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, a large number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals/occasions every year.

Shadani Darbar Tirth, a 300-year old temple, is a sacred place for devotees from across the world. The Foundation of Shadani Darbar was laid at Hayat Pitafi Tehsil, Mirpur Mathelo, Ghotki district in 1786 by Sant Shadaram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708.

The issuance of pilgrimage visas is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s efforts for promoting visits to religious shrines and people-to-people exchanges.

It also reflects the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to faithfully implement the bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines.

On November 30, more than 3800 Sikh pilgrims returned to India from Pakistan after participating in the 549th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. During their visit, the ground-breaking ceremony for the “Kartarpur Corridor” on the Pakistan side of the International Border was performed by Prime Minister Imran Khan alongwith prominent guests from India.

Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious places and providing all possible facilitation for the visiting pilgrims of all faiths, says a press statement issued here on Wednesday.