81 Hindu pilgrims get visas to visit shrines in Pakistan

New Delhi: Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued visas to 81 Hindu pilgrims to visit shrines in Pakistan for the 308th birthday celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Saheb.

In line with Pakistan's efforts to encourage people to people contacts and promote religious tourism, the High Commission has issued visas to pilgrims under the 1974 bilateral protocol, said Manzoor Ali Memon, Counsellor (Press) in the Pakistan mission.

Taking "note of the sentiments and devotion of the various communities in the two countries for the historic and sacred shrines in the other", India and Pakistan have agreed on a set of principles for facilitating visits to such shrines.

As per the protocol, such visits from one country to the other shall be allowed without discrimination as to religion or sect and every effort should continue to be made to ensure that places of religious worship mentioned in the agreed list are properly maintained and their sanctity preserved.