The Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi has issued 96 visas to a group of Indian Hindu pilgrims for their visit to the prominent and sacred Shree Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas, in the Chakwal district of Punjab from 20-25 December 2022.

Each year, a large number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals/occasions. In addition, a large number of Indian Hindus are issued visas by Pakistan High Commission on regular basis to visit their families and friends in Pakistan.

The issuance of visas to Sikh and Hindu pilgrims is in line with the Government of Pakistan’s efforts for facilitating visits to religious shrines.

The Charge d’ Affaires, Aftab Hasan Khan, on the occasion, wished the Hindu pilgrims a spiritually rewarding pilgrimage and underlined that Pakistan remains committed to preserving sacred religious sites and providing all possible assistance to the visiting pilgrims of all faiths.

The visit of the Hindu pilgrims to Shree Katas Raj Temple is covered under the bilateral Protocol on the Visits to Religious Shrines, 1974.

19 December 2022
New Delhi