‘India has denied visas to devotees’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday said that Indian government has denied visas to pilgrims who were scheduled to travel to India to attend the anniversary of Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya.

Hundreds of Pakistani pilgrims visit the shrine in the Indian capital of New Delhi to pay homage to the revered Sufi saint.

“Pakistan regrets the last-minute postponement and non-issuance of visas by India, for the visit of 192 Pakistani Zaireen (devotees) to participate in the Urs (annual gathering) of Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Aulia (RA) in Delhi on January 1-8, 2018,” the foreign ministry said.

Pakistan and India have an agreement which allows citizens of both countries visit religious sites. A foreign ministry statement said the visit was to take place under the provisions of the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines and is a regular, annual feature. “As a result of this Indian decision, the Pakistani Zaireen would be deprived of the opportunity to participate in the Urs.”