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Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 20
Ahead of Guru Nanak Dev birth anniversary celebrations, Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued over 3,800 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India.
The pilgrims will be a part of commemorative ceremonies organised from November 21 to 30 along with Sikh jathas from other parts of the world.
This is by far the largest number of visas issued in recent years to Sikh pilgrims for Baba Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary celebrations, beyond the maximum number of 3,000, mutually agreed between the two countries for this event under the framework of bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, claimed officials.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood said this was a “special gesture” by the Pakistan government in run up to the 550th anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev.
“We extend profound felicitations to our brothers and sisters celebrating this auspicious occasion and wish all yatrees a spiritually fulfilling yatra,” the Pakistani envoy said.
However, the issue of opening up of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for the special occasion has seen no progress forward with Pakistan having made it clear that any movement on the subject would be possibly only if the two countries could hold a dialogue.
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