India stops Sikh Yatrees to visit Pakistan
Lahore, Pakistan: Indian passport authorities have stopped 150 Sikh Yatrees at Attari-Wagah border when they were scheduled to cross border to attend death anniversary of Ranjeet Singh in Lahore.
According to details, Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi issued 300 visas to Sikh Yatrees to visit Pakistan for observing religious occasion of Ranjeet Singh’s death anniversary.
Around 150 Sikhs arrived Indo-Pak border crossing at Wagha on Wednesday morning for border crossing but they were stopped by Indian authorities despite special train arranged by Pakistan to bring them to Pakistan.
It may be mentioned that Sikh Yatrees were also denied their departure to Pakistan in January to attend Shaheedi Jor Mela of Guru Arjin Dev ji and they were stranded at the Atari station due to “technical reasons” cited by Indian authorities resulting in a large number being unable to attend their religious festivities.
It may be mentioned that facilitation of Religious tourism is a responsibility of the governments of India and Pakistan under bilateral agreement between the two countries.
It is unfortunate that this has been hampered twice in a short period this year depriving many Sikh Yatrees of the opportunity to participate in their religious festivals.
