FO terms India’s denying Sikh Yatrees entry to Pakistan as very unfortunate

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office (FO) on Wednesday termed India’s stopping Sikh Yatrees to visit Pakistan as very unfortunate.

FO Spokesman Nafees Zakaria in a statement said Sikh Yatrees stopped by Indian authorities at Atari-Wagah border despite visa arrangement and special train provided by Pakistan is very unfortunate.

Sikh Yatrees, who want to visit Pakistan to attend death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, have staged protest at Atari railway station against the Indian government.

Sikh Yatrees stopped by Indian authorities at Atari-Wagah bordr despite visa arrangement&special train provided by Pakistan-Very unfortunate

— M. Nafees Zakaria (@ForeignOfficePk) June 28, 2017

Ranjit Singh (1780 –1839), was the leader of the Sikh Empire in the Indian subcontinent in the early half of the 19th century.

One of the Sikh Yatrees said the government of Pakistan every year provided them fool-proof security. He said they would attend the death anniversary at every cost.

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Around 350 Sikh Yatrees are scheduled to reach Pakistan. The central event of death anniversary of Ranjit Singh would be held tomorrow in Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore.

Punjab Minister for Human Rights Khalil Tahir said stopping the Yatrees at Atari station was human rights violation as nobody should be denied permission to attend their religious ceremonies in any part of the world.

“Sikh Yatrees are our guests and we will make all-out arrangements for their security,” he said.