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BAISAKHI SPECIAL: ON THE EVE, PAK HIGH COMMISSION ALLOTS VISAS TO SIKH PILGRIMS. |
The Pakistan High Commission announced on Wednesday that it had given over 1100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend the annual Baisakhi celebrations, which will take place from April 12 to 22.
According to the high commission, a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit Pakistan each year to observe various religious festivals under the framework of the 1974 Pakistan-India protocol on visits to religious shrines.
The visas were provided as a "special gesture" by the Pakistan government in recognition of the significance of Baisakhi for Punjabis and Sikhs as the start of their new year.
"The Pakistan High Commission expresses its heartfelt congratulations to all those celebrating this auspicious occasion and wishes the visiting pilgrims a fruitful yatra," the high commission said in a statement.
"The issuance of pilgrimage visas is part of the Government of Pakistan's efforts to facilitate visits to religious shrines," the statement explained.
The issuance of visas coincided with certain indications of both countries' eagerness to advance their ties.
The Indian and Pakistani armies reaffirmed their commitment to the 2003 ceasefire along the Line of Control in February. The return to the truce was decided upon by the two countries' director-generals of military operations.
REMARKS: Army Chief Gen MM Naravane reported late last month that the LoC has been quiet for the first time in five to six years, with not a single shot fired on it in March barring an unusual incident.
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TOPIC: BAISAKHI SPECIAL: ON THE EVE PAK HIGH COMMISSION ALLOTS OVER 1100 VISAS TO SIKH PILGRIMS.
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