Pak restricts travels of Indian Sikh pilgrims

Lahore, Apr 12: The Sikh pilgrims traveling to Pakistan from India to be part of the Baisakhi festival celebrations may be in for a disappointment this year as the Pakistani authorities have restricted their travels.

In a circular sent to law enforcement agencies and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which takes care of shrines of minority communities and organises pilgrimages, Home Department of Punjab province imposed a ban on the travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to places for which they do not possess a visa.

The move came in the interest of the pilgrims safety. The circular said that it was the authorities' responsibility to provide all facilities and protection to the Sikh yatris (pilgrims).

"But it is important for their (Sikhs') protection to disallow them to visit places for which they are not issued visa by the Pakistan High Commission in India," it stated, pressing the law enforcement agencies and the ETPB to impose the ban at any cost.

The authorities have even warned Pakistanis against taking the Indian pilgrims to places where they don't have permission to go.

As many as 1,400 Indian Sikhs arrived in Lahore on Sunday, Apr 12 to take part in the upcoming festival.

OneIndia News