KARACHI: The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday issued 136 visas to Hindu pilgrims for visit to their religious sites in the country.

A large number of pilgrims from India are expected to arrive in Sindh over the next couple of days to take part in the celebrations of the 313th birth anniversary of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib.

The celebrations at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi in Ghotki district will be held from December 4 to 15.

Shadani Darbar founded in 1786 by Sant Shadaram Sahib is a sacred place for Hindu devotees across the world. Sant Shadaram Sahib was born in 1708 in Lahore.

Celebrations at Shadani Darbar in Sindh to begin on 4th

Thousands of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan every year under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974 to observe various religious festivals. The visas issued by the Pakistan High Commission are in addition to the visas granted to Hindu and Sikh pilgrims participating in their religious events from other countries, according to a press release issued by the High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The issuance of pilgrimage visas to Hindu and Sikh pilgrims is in line with the Pakistan government’s efforts to facilitate visits to religious shrines. It is also reflective of Pakistan’s respect for religious places of all faiths and efforts to promote interfaith harmony.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2021