The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 136 visas to Hindu devotees who will visit the country to participate in the 313th birth anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib at Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi in Sindh from December 4 to 15, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
The 300-year old temple is a sacred place for Hindu devotees from across the globe. The Shadani Darbar was founded in 1786 by Sant Shadaram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708.
Pakistan High Commission said that in addition to the visas granted to Hindu and Sikh pilgrims participating in these events from other countries.
"The issuance of pilgrimage visas to Hindu and Sikh pilgrims is in line with the government of Pakistan’s efforts for facilitating visits to religious shrines. It’s also reflective of Pakistan’s respect for religious places of all faiths and efforts for promoting interfaith harmony," it further said.
In November, more than 8,000 Sikh pilgrims from all over the world visited Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.
The Pakistan High Commission for India had also issued around 3,000 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims.
Pertinent to note that under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, thousands of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals and occasions every year.