Pakistan on Saturday regretted India's refusal to issue visas to 192 Pakistani pilgrims to participate in annual Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia (RA) in Delhi from January 1-8, 2018. "Pakistan regrets the last minute postponement and non-issuance of visas by India, for the visit of the 192 Pakistani Zaireen (pilgrims) to participate in the Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia (RA) in Delhi," spokesperson Foreign Office Dr Mohammad Faisal said.

He said that 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.

As a result of this Indian decision, he said that Pakistani pilgrims would be deprived of the opportunity to participate in the Urs, which is of special significance. "This is unfortunate and runs counter to the letter and spirit of the 1974 Protocol and objective of people-to-people contacts," he regretted.

Earlier this year, he added that despite Pakistan's offer to send a special train, due to Indian delays Sikh Yatrees [pilgrims] from India remained unable to participate in the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjan Dev and death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017