Pak requests India to allow consulate

Pakistan has formally requested India to allow it to open a consulate in Amritsar to facilitate Sikh pilgrims who want to visit holy sites in the country, a senior official said on Monday.

“We made the request on the wish of the visiting Indian Sikh yatris (pilgrims),” chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board Asif Hashmi said. Hashmi said Sikh pilgrims, especially from India’s Punjab state, have been facing problems in obtaining visas to visit Pakistan.

“During the latest visit by yatris in connection with the Baisakhi festival, they had raised the issue with us. We then requested the Indian government to do the needful at earliest,” he said, adding he was hopeful that India would respond positively to the request.

The ETPB looks after Hindu and Sikh holy sites and shrines across Pakistan and facilitates visiting pilgrims. Hundreds of Indian Sikhs and Hindus visit shrines in Pakistan every year though their numbers have fallen significantly this year due to fears of terror attacks and strains in bilateral ties.