ISLAMABAD: Pilgrims intending to visit Muslim shrines in India, to avoid inconvenience to themselves, must strictly adhere to certain procedures and rules laid down in this regard, according to a Press note issue by the Ministry of Home on Thursday [Sept 5].

The Press note said: Applications for permission to visit a shrine in India must be sent to the Home Department of the Government of East or West Pakistan at least four months in advance of the date of the proposed visit. ... Applicants who are finally selected for visiting a shrine should restrict their visit to the genuine purpose of pilgrimage only, and should under no circumstances visit any place in India not included in their visas.

Every party of pilgrims visiting a shrine will have a party leader nominated by the appropriate authority. ... Each intending pilgrim should carefully consider his requirements of Indian currency for expenditure in India and before departure should see that he is in possession of the foreign exchange sanctioned to him for the purpose. The party leader should make it perfectly clear to the pilgrims under his charge that they will not receive any advance from Pakistan missions in India, and that in any case the pilgrims must not approach them for funds during their stay in India.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2018