Pakistan to increase visa count for Indian devotees to bolster religious tourism

Pakistan to increase visa count for Indian devotees to bolster religious tourism

Adding up to the many confidence-building-measures (CBM’s) being undertaken by the two formidable foes, Pakistan has expressed its interest in increasing the visa count for the visiting Indian tourists from across the border. Referring especially to the
many religious sites spread across the length and breadth of the country, sacred to both followers of Hinduism and Sikhism, an increased inflow of the devotees can bolster the otherwise stagnant tourism in the country.

Addressing members of Sikh community at Gujarkhan Guru Nanak Khalsa College for Women here, Syed Asif Hashmi, chairman of Evacuee Trust Property Board, revealed that the Foreign Office of the country is bound to issue a limited number of visas to the Sikh
devotees who throng the northern town of Hasan Abdal during the festival of “Besakhi”. Hashmi who heads the Trust which overlooks the safety and betterment of the religious sites of the minorities in the country, lamented the fact that Indian Government has
placed strict regulations to the Pakistanis tourists who intend to visit the many religious sites in India, but the Pakistan Government still does not force any restrictions whatsoever.

"The number of visas is fixed because of a pact signed by the then Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and his counterpart Liaqat Ali Khan. The Pakistan government is willing to offer more visas to Indians". He added. "Our government has no problem is
giving more visas to Indians. Perhaps it is the pact which stops us in doing so. We are willing to give more visas to you." 

Hashmi, who was on a visit to the Ludhiana state of the neighbouring country with a six-member delegation, stressed the need to encourage cross border tourism which will help strengthen the détente between the two countries. Answering another accusation
by the Indian press in regards to the alleged unlawful sale and purchase of the Sikh property in Pakistan, Hashmi assured the press members that not one inch of the property has been encroached upon and that Evacuee Trust keeps a close check on all such dealings
regarding the minorities owned property.

Hashmi also revealed of the plan to build Baba Guru Nanak International University in Pakistan which will award degrees in Sikhism and other holistic subjects.

"I am trying to get a date from prime minister for inauguration of the prestigious university. We are also planning to invite journalists from India to attend the function. I have specific orders from the PM and President to develop Sikh religious places
and promote them for religious tourism".

Hasan Abdal and the surrounding area, located some 40 kilometers Northwest of Rawalpindi, is one of the most revered religious sites of Sikhism. It is famous for Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib, one of the most sacred places of Sikhism. Thousands of Sikhs visit
the Gurudwara on the eve of Besakhi every year.

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Posted by Naveed A Bari on Dec 23 2011. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry