Pakistan has regretted the last minute postponement and non-issuance of visas by India for the visit of 192 Pakistani devotees to participate in the annual Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia (RA) in Delhi. As a result of Indian decision, Pakistani devotees will be deprived of the opportunity to participate in the week long Urs celebrations.
Spokesperson of foreign office Dr Muhammad Faisal, in a statement said the visit was to take place under the provisions of the 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines and is a regular annual feature. This is not the first time the Indian government has indulged in the violation of the agreement. In June this year, several Sikh pilgrims travelling to Pakistan for the death anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev were stopped by the Indian government despite issuance of visas by the Pakistani High Commission. Visit of pilgrimages can improve people to people contacts, but it is ironic that the visas were not issued to Pakistani pilgrimages on the occasion of Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya who was a symbol of bringing communities closer to each other.
Recent efforts of Pakistan are aimed at improving relations with India, but it is unfortunate that Pakistan is not receiving same reciprocal response from other side. Pakistan on Friday released 145 Indian fishermen from prison as a goodwill gesture. Pakistani officials have promised to release a further 146 Indian fishermen on January 7. Recently, Pakistan also allowed meeting of Indian spy with his family, despite that fact that he has confessed his involvement in anti-Pakistan activities; but India was not only critical over the meeting but also on the same day Line of Control was violated once again.
India needs to come out from hateful past as Pakistan has time and again proved that it wants smooth relations with India. Instead of keep leveling baseless accusations and carrying on the anti-Pakistan propaganda, India should consider reciprocating the goodwill gestures of Pakistan. India should realize that adamant and negative behavior will undermine the efforts aimed at improving the environment and normalizing relations between the two countries. This is the beginning of New Year and we hope 2018 bring both countries closer in order to resolve their issues.