Indian Sikh pilgrims seek flexible visa regime

Islamabad, Nov 9 (UNI) Indian Sikh pilgrims currently on a visit to Pakistan have appealed the host government to issue flexible visa to the yatris who intended to visit the country.

Due to visa restrictions they can not visit their native places especially their birthplace.

Dawn newspaper quoted pilgrims at Gurdwara Punja Sahib, Hassanabdal, near Rawalpindi, as saying that they should be at least allowed to see the place, house, school and street where they had spent their formative years.

Sikh pilgrims are in Pakistan in connection with the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. They said that many Sikhs were issued visas to visit Pakistan once in their life time, but even then they were not allowed to see their birthplace.

Sardar Muhendar Singh Opera, a senior citizen who was born at Chakwal and studied till matriculation at Khalsa High School, Chakwal, has said that he was pleased to see the development at the various Gurdwaras of Pakistan especially Nankana Sahib.

He said yatris especially senior citizens should be allowed to visit their places of birth.

UNI XC MQA MIR HT1735