ISLAMABAD: The religious affairs ministry has invited applications for pilgrimage to Ajmer Sharif, India.

The public notice issued by the ministry says that people interested in attending the urs of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti can submit their application forms by Aug 30.

The annual festival will be held on Feb 3-4 at Ajmer Sharif in India.

The balloting of the application forms will be held on October 1, but the application of only those pilgrims will be entertained who have completed their Covid-19 vaccination.

As per the current international agreements, the pilgrims will have to provide a fresh PCR test taken 48 hours before the departure.

The ministry informed the intending pilgrims that in the light of Covid-19 SOPs, public gatherings were prohibited and a final decision in this regard would be taken by the government of Pakistan keeping in view the Covid-19 situation in both countries at the time of the visit.

The intending pilgrims can download the application forms from the website of the religious affairs ministry.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2021