NEW DELHI: Amidst strained relations between New Delhi and Islamabad, Pakistan High Commission has issued visas to as many as 3,316 Sikh pilgrims to attend birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev from 12-21 November there.
In a statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission in National Capital, Manzoor Ali Memon Counsellor (Press) said this was done in line with Pakistan's efforts to encourage people to people contacts and promote religious tourism. The High Commission has issued visas to pilgrims more than the numbers prescribed under the 1974 bilateral protocol, he added.
Guru Nanak Dev was born on 15 April 1469 at 'Rai Bhoi Ki Talva', present day Nankana Sahib, near Lahore in Pakistan's Punjab province.
Every year a large number of Sikh pilgrims travel to Pakistan to visit different Sikh shrines.
Security forces of two nations are at their highest level of alertness at border with Pakistan army regularly violating ceasefire agreement. Pakistan army has been continuously targeting Indian civilian populations. However, Indian army has also caused massive damage to Pakistan’s posts.