The visas were issued under a bilateral agreement, the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, which was signed to facilitate such pilgrimages. A statement from the High Commission noted, “Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 87 visas to Indian Hindu pilgrims for their visit to Pakistan to join the 316th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi, Sindh, from November 24 to December 4, 2024.”
On this occasion, Saad Ahmad Warraich, Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in India, extended his best wishes to the pilgrims, hoping they have “a rewarding and fulfilling journey.”
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He emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding religious sites and ensured that all necessary support was being provided to visiting pilgrims.
Meanwhile, authorities in Pakistan have imposed a two-month ban on all public gatherings in Islamabad, in response to a planned protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by jailed former prime minister Imran Khan. PTI announced a demonstration on November 24, demanding the release of their imprisoned leader, who has been incarcerated for over a year.
In retaliation, the government invoked Section 144, a law that dates back to the colonial era, which prohibits public assemblies. The Islamabad District Magistrate, Usman Ashraf, issued a notification stating that the measure was necessary due to concerns that planned gatherings could disrupt public peace and safety. The ban specifically targets gatherings of five or more people and restricts the use of sound systems or loudspeakers that may incite division or disturbance.
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The authorities cited the potentials for riots, sectarian violence, and damage to public property as the reasons for the imposition of Section 144, further tightening control over public demonstrations in the capital.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
