Hindu pilgrims take message of love, peace to India

E-Paper | July 22, 2026

The Hindu pilgrims said they would take message of love and peace to India. As many as 85 Hindu pilgrims from various states of India came to Katas Raj, their holy site, on Wednesday evening and left for India on Friday. They were welcomed by District Coordination Officer (DCO) Asif Bilal Lodhi, Assistant Commissioner Choa Saidan Shah Samina Saif Niazi and other officials concerned.

Two receptions, one on Wednesday night and the other on Thursday, were held for the pilgrims.

Speaking in one of the receptions Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Saddiqul Farooq assured the Indian pilgrims that they would always be welcomed in Pakistan with warmth and affection.

“You can visit to your holy sites whenever you want. You would always be welcomed with love,” he said.

He stressed the need of interfaith harmony.

“We should respect every religion. If we respect humanity our problems will solve,” he maintained.

He urged the pilgrims to take the message of love and peace to their country.

Shiv Partab Bajaj the leader of the pilgrims while speaking on the occasion thanked the Pakistan government for making tremendous arrangements for the pilgrims. “The love and respect which you people gave us can never be forgotten,” he said. He added that when he came first time at Katas Raj in 1982 the temples were in pathetic condition , but now the holy site had been renovated.

“These temples are not just worship places but tourist spots as well as the area (Salt Range) in which they are located is fabulous and scenic,” he maintained.

DCO Asif Bilal Lodhi while addressing the pilgrims said they would be provided every facility.

The pilgrims and their Pakistani hosts exchanged gifts.

After the ceremony the pilgrims visited different temples and took bath at the holy pond. They offered their obeisance to Lord Shiva.

Talking to Dawn many pilgrims said they visited Katas for the first time.

Amit Chadha, who came from New Delhi, said, “The place is such a wonderful that I will keep on visiting,” he added.

Parveen Rani who came from Hariyana state along with his little daughter Jhanvi and husband Bilbir Singh also expressed her desire to visit Katas Raj again and again.

Published in Dawn, November 30th , 2014

World

The writer is a Chakwal-based freelance journalist who has regularly contributed to Dawn since 2010, writing on politics, crime, culture, social and sectarian issues, and archaeology.

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junaid

Nov 30, 2014 02:00pm

thanks to Pakistan. We all know that u r wonderful hosts. Mehmaan nawazi ka mauka hame bhi milega isi ummeed se

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ghanshyam

Nov 30, 2014 02:13pm

Pakistan is not doing any favour, we are also facilating visits to Ajmer !

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Subhash

Nov 30, 2014 02:16pm

Thank you Pakistan.

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Mustafa

Nov 30, 2014 02:19pm

@ghanshyam "Pakistan is not doing any favour, we are also facilating visits to Ajmer !" But you also set an entire train of Pakistanis on fire killing 68. You can't imagine that in Pakistan.

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Dr Malaria, Dengue Prasad

Nov 30, 2014 02:22pm

Yes, this should be the spirit of Pakistan. Although most religions are superstitions, still all superstitions should be able to co-exist peacefully among the brainwashed Hindu and brainwashed Muslim people and also converted Christians of the sub-continent. Business of God flourishes in places wherever there is poverty or illiteracy or literate corrupt or insecurity,vulnerability and lack of self confidence. Tourism is fine.

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Muhammad Nadeem

Nov 30, 2014 02:30pm

@ghanshyam Thanks you for facilitating visits to Ajmer. You are always welcome here.

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Pradeep

Nov 30, 2014 03:08pm

"as many as 85 Hindu pilgrims". This is far few a number compared to the potential this place has. I hope this grows to thousands or lakhs in coming years.

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Pakistani

Nov 30, 2014 03:10pm

Very happy to have hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan. We hope to welcome you again.

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khal Nigrahanay

Nov 30, 2014 03:24pm

Hope always win.

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dipak

Nov 30, 2014 03:38pm

what is the existing picture of pakistan.. sir pl go on fact. we see the extremism is on high level .churches and temples are destroyed and no action is being taken by pak. govt minorities are killed. some elements and institutions are oppenely delivering hatred speech once again sir openly and govt. seems helpless in preventing them.

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junaid

Nov 30, 2014 03:58pm

@Dipak. Right bro, we all r very concerned about the rising extremism in our neighbor. But they are very good hosts, it must be admitted

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Komal S

Nov 30, 2014 04:11pm

@ghanshyam I can't imagine somebody would respond with such a negative comment to a very positive and refreshing news.

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Saad Khan

Nov 30, 2014 04:36pm

@ ghanshaym...people like you are the reason for mistrust, negativity and hatred. Hope you see the light at the end of tunnel one day...

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Sunil

Nov 30, 2014 05:12pm

Good to see, that the Hindus without any fear, have gone to Pakistan, a welcome gesture and humble from the host, allowing them to visit any holy site is commendable.

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Kartik

Nov 30, 2014 05:31pm

Pakistani hospitality is legendary. There is no doubt about it. If it only becomes a strong democracy, with the Army relegated to the background. I have no doubt, if there is tremendous economic prosperity, most Pakistani's will shut their borders with India and Afghanistan and live happily in their country. I have personally met some of the most humble and helpful Pakistanis in my travel abroad. Without doubt, they want a good life for themselves, their children. A deadly mix of politicians and army folks has systematically destroyed Pakistani institutions. For once Pakistan should stop their obsession with Kashmir and Afghanistan. Once you have fixed all your basic infra, set your country on a strong path, an economically prosperous Pakistan can command the respect of the world and influence world view better. However if you are looked upon as a country harboring terrorists and constantly bickering with India and Afghanistan, then there is little hope for the future.

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Ahmed

Nov 30, 2014 05:44pm

Good to see hindu brothers.

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mark

Nov 30, 2014 05:54pm

@Saad Khan : Thanks Pakistan. This is what is required between two brotherly nation.

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Robin-New Delhi

Nov 30, 2014 06:12pm

@Mustafa because pakistan railways is in mess ;-)

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Sunshine(USA)

Nov 30, 2014 06:20pm

Thank you DAWN. Thank you Pakistan. There are people on both sides of the border who wish to travel and keep relationships alive. Next time please provide a map or location along with ways to reach this site. More photos too !

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Muslim

Nov 30, 2014 06:32pm

More peaceful delegation should visits pakistan particularly from Haridwar to make friendship.

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An Indian

Nov 30, 2014 06:35pm

@ghanshyam Atleast we should be cordial to appreciate good things happening in Pakistan. We should encourage them.

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Abhisek

Nov 30, 2014 06:36pm

Dear All, This is a welcome step. Please do not link everything to Kashmir. Regarding Kashmir, neither can India obtain POK or Pakistan can take Indian Kashmir. God knows what will happen to China occupied Kashmir. After partition also India has more no of Muslims than entire Pakistan. So no Indians (Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikhs, etc) believe in Pakistan rhetoric about Kashmir to go with Pakistan. The only feasible good solution in long term would be to stop all terrorist activities, have peace and make border immaterial so that people from both countries can mix without any Passport or visa as is our case with Nepal. This can only happen if both countries decide to have friendly relation.

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indian

Nov 30, 2014 06:55pm

good pak keep it up . may bhagwan give u people more power to to fight with ur problems

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loksam

Nov 30, 2014 07:38pm

This is the irony of our 2 nations if we meet together we treat each other like our own brothers and sisters then why cant we live live together in a peacefull utmosphere.

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Akshay

Nov 30, 2014 07:43pm

@Pakistani Respect both Religion Thanks people like you real face of real Pakistani - Akshay form New Delhi

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Well-Wisher

Nov 30, 2014 07:46pm

@ghanshyam Relax dear! Calm down... Just get of from your high horse.

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Well-Wisher

Nov 30, 2014 07:50pm

@junaid You are absolutely correct!

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Sandeep Singh

Nov 30, 2014 07:55pm

@junaid India is hosting millions of pakistanis, afghanis, bangladeshis every year....only 85??

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M. Siddique

Nov 30, 2014 08:10pm

@dipak, just take this visit of the pilgrims and eat your words.

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tarun

Nov 30, 2014 08:32pm

Good to see two neighbors coming together. It's a wonderful thing when two neighbor usualy visit each other. Ji cheeni khatam ho gai or chai bananai hai, Ji aaj Diwali hai aapke lie Diwali ka tohfa, Ji apke lie Eid ki sewai lae hain.. Such kind of things we have daily with our neighbor, what if similar start happening between these two great nations. Maja aa jaega..

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SBB

Nov 30, 2014 09:37pm

Thank you Pakistan.

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Zia

Nov 30, 2014 10:57pm

Good to hear

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syed wasim haider

Nov 30, 2014 11:15pm

Courtesy always pay. These people although not many in numbers will at least spread a good message to their family members.

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SUYASH CHANDRA

Dec 01, 2014 12:19am

Good to see

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Manoj

Dec 01, 2014 12:29am

Thanx for all the help & support provided...... I think we should have more people to people contact to improve our relations.

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Chi ben

Dec 01, 2014 12:43am

@Kartik , nobody shall forget that Pakistan is the land of Indus Valley civilisation. We may have been separated our homes, hearts are still the same, we might have drawn lines to divide nations, roots are the same. I see Dharma overtaking religion in this visit. I am impressed with my fellow countrymen speaking the language of Indus Valley Civilisation and equally good response from the pilgrims. Let us keep meeting, one day we will fall in love again.

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Faisal

Dec 01, 2014 01:01am

@Sandeep Singh Pakistan also host Sikhs ( Nankana Sahib) and other visits from Hindus to their places of worship. There were only 85 on this particular visit. I think BOTH countries are doing a great job, hope it continues. We need religious harmony and an understanding of each others faiths for peace and prosperity in our respective nations.

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Kolsat

Dec 01, 2014 02:44am

@Pradeep: Such visits are good for Pakistan from a tourism point of view. On the political side it will help cement the ties between us as well as decrease the tensions. Good work Pakistan.

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Indian Dalit

Dec 01, 2014 04:14am

Thanks Pakistan, you have to the symbol of religious freedom in south Asian, just like the dream of Jinnah Sahab

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Shyam

Dec 01, 2014 05:35am

Pakistanis are very good hosts. I also would like to visit someday.

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Truth

Dec 01, 2014 05:52am

@Indian Dalit You are a Pakistani, not an Indian.

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Gaurav Arya

Dec 01, 2014 07:44am

@ghanshyam - Will you please relax? We need to thank Pakistanis for their goodwill gesture. If you have a problem with good neighborly relations, then please go to the Himalayas for a few years.

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Deepak

Dec 01, 2014 08:04am

@Muhammad Nadeem - That's the Spirit man.. Respect you.

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DarHaqiqat

Dec 01, 2014 08:24am

@ghanshyam : It's not a favour, It's our pleasure brother.

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dipak

Dec 01, 2014 08:42am

@M. Siddique sir i have no complain against the people of pak.my view is to draw attention that govt. is not preventing extremist and gives silent concent. govt is not taking action and works under the threats of those institutions. you know better,pl undersatnd the fact.as on today openly in mass public hate speech we are hearing for indians. why not preventing them.

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kashor

Dec 01, 2014 09:33am

This should not be one off occasion. Pakistan will do well to promote pilgrim tourism through official conducted tours. Important Hindu sites can be restored to their past glory. Such visits can also help bridge the dis-trust among the two communities. You can try it on a small scale first. Tourism is one of the biggest employers and Pakistan needs employment avenues over everything else.

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Sandeep Singh

Dec 01, 2014 10:16am

@Faisal yeah with constant protection under Police and Army, just admit, Indians are not safe in Pakistan....while pakistanis visit Ajmer, Haji Ali dargah without any fear in India.

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SANJEEV KUMAR YADAV

Dec 01, 2014 11:42am

Katas Raj and Hingla Devi temple can attract million people in a year if provided even 1 star facility. Pakistan can trap a good market and generate revenue and employment for its people.

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Lonely Loanly

Dec 01, 2014 05:36pm

@Mustafa Ever wondered why no International cricket is being played in Pakistan?

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Faisal

Dec 02, 2014 12:33am

@Sandeep Singh I disagree. Hindus and Sikhs are welcomed everywhere in Pakistan except for a few troubled spots. Indians have also visited Pakistan for sporting events and they are always treated with respect, as they should being our honoured guests. The occasional police and army escorts are nothing but a precaution. I doubt very much if Indian cricket fans are followed around everywhere by security forces. I will admit that there are fanatics on both sides who hate for the sake of hating. Their day is coming. From what I see, the vast majority of Pakistanis welcome Indian visitors, regardless of their faith or religion.

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