Sikhs stopped from coming to Pakistan

Samjhota Express returns empty

ISLAMABAD: The Samjhota Express sent to Attari, Amritsar, for Sikh pilgrims was returned empty as Indian authorities stopped them from coming to Pakistan for the ‘Jor Mela’, according to the Foreign Office spokesperson.

A statement issued from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Indian authorities returned the train, saying Pakistan had agreed on sending a special one for the pilgrims not the Samjhota Express.

The Indian authorities intercepted the pilgrims at the Attari border in Amritsar, read the statement. They were coming to Pakistan for the ‘Jor Mela’ to observe the death anniversary of Guru Arjun Das for which around 100 pilgrims were issued visas by the High Commission for Pakistan, it added.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria stated Pakistan had made all the arrangements, keeping in consideration the religious values of Sikhs. The statement further stated that India did not hold human values important. Even the medical visa process was troublesome for Pakistanis, it added. In held Kashmir human beings are used as shields, it read. India has also targeted civilians along the LoC and Working Boundary.