Pakistan fully aware about missing Indian Sufi clerics: Chief Imam

Condemning the disappearance of two Indian Sufi clerics in Karachi since Thursday, Chief Imam Umar Illyasi on Saturday said that Pakistan is fully aware about the disturbing development.

"All those clerics who travel from Pakistan to India have to register a report in the police station about their whereabouts and same procedure takes place with the Indian clerics as well, which means Pakistan must be aware about the whole incident," he told ANI.

"Both of the clerics are an important part of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah. Pakistan's situation is not under control as its own citizens do not feel secure in the country," he asserted.

Two Indian Sufi clerics, who were on a pilgrimage to Pakistan, have gone missing, prompting India to take up the matter with the Pakistani government.

Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, had gone to Karachi to meet their relatives after which they headed to Lahore to visit the shrines of Sufi saints.

Syed Asif Ali Nizami is the head priest of New Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah.

Meanwhile, a Dargah Committee meeting is underway in Delhi's Nizamuddin regarding the disappearances.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she has taken up the matter with Islamabad.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria also acknowledged that an Indian request seeking assistance for the recovery of two clerics had been received.