Pakistan has issued 2,856 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual Baisakhi celebrations, beginning from tomorrow.

The visas were issued by Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, under the framework of Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974.

The visas issued from New Delhi were in addition to the visas granted to Sikh pilgrims participating in these events from other countries.

Expressing his views on the auspicious occasion, Charge d’Affaires of Pakistan High Commission, Salman Sharif said Pakistan is committed to preserving sacred religious places and providing necessary facilitation to visiting pilgrims.

During the visit, the pilgrims would, inter alia, go to Dera Sahib, Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib before returning to India on 18th of this month.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has refused to arrange special trains for Sikh pilgrims travelling to Pakistan to celebrate Baisakhi.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Indian pilgrims will now enter Pakistan on foot through the Wagah border and then take a bus to Nankana Sahib.

From there, they will travel to Panja Sahib Hasanabdal.

Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Sardar Ameer Singh said this year the special trains have been suspended by India and the pilgrims will be taken to Gurdwara Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib and other places by buses.

He urged the Indian pilgrims to discuss this important issue with their government so that trains can be sent from Wagah to Attari, making the journey easier and more comfortable.