India has issued visas to only 100 Pakistani pilgrims for the annual Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer Sharif, despite a quota of 500 attendees from Pakistan being established under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974.
A representative from Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed that visas for 400 Pakistani pilgrims were denied by Indian authorities, leaving many disappointed at missing the opportunity to attend this significant religious gathering.
The Urs, a key event at the revered shrine in Ajmer, India, is scheduled to begin today, January 5. The 100 approved pilgrims will cross into India via the Wagah border to participate.
Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich extended his best wishes to the pilgrims, hoping for a fulfilling journey. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding sacred religious sites and facilitating visiting pilgrims, emphasizing the importance of religious exchange for fostering understanding.
The incident has drawn attention to discrepancies in the visa allocation process. In contrast, in November, Pakistan issued over 3,000 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India for the birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Pakistan.
Despite the setback, Pakistani authorities pledged to continue advocating for the smooth participation of pilgrims in religious events.
