Summary Spokesperson said applications of pilgrims were forcibly withdrawn from High Commission in New Delhi
(Web Desk) – Pakistan on Tuesday rejected the allegations levelled by India regarding the refusal of granting visas to 173 Katas Raj Pilgrims, stating that the Indian authorities had forcibly withdrawn applications from Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
According to PID, Foreign Office spokesperson responded to a query regarding the unfounded Indian allegations about “Pakistan refusing visas to 173 Katas Raj pilgrims". He said these were completely baseless.
He underscored that Pakistan had made all the arrangements for the visit of the pilgrims, who, regrettably, were forced to withdraw their applications from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi due to non – issuance of NOC by the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
Recently, India has also denied the visits of Sikh pilgrims, followed by that of Zaireens from Pakistan, and now Katas Raj Pilgrims, the opportunity to participate in their religious festivals. Indian actions run counter to the letter and spirit of the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines and an obstruction for the people to people contacts.
Such steps violate the basic human right to religious freedoms and are indicative of the escalatory ladder on which the Government of India has embarked. These are against the spirit of peace and tranquility that Pakistan has been trying to promote
