Avoid Traveling to Pakistan: Home Ministry (India)

by Mritunjay | October 27, 2009 at 01:49 am

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The Home Ministry under the Government of India (GoI) on Tuesday advised Indian pilgrims to avoid visiting Pakistan in view of deteriorating security situation there following a string of militant attacks on military, police and civilian targets.

"The government of India is of the view that it is not advisable for the Indian pilgrims to visit Pakistan in the prevailing situation when frequent terrorist attacks are taking place in Punjab province of Pakistan, where all gurudwaras are situated," said a statement issued by the home ministry.
"Accordingly, the government advises all Indian citizens to avoid undertaking any visit to Pakistan for this purpose, till the security situation in Pakistan improves."

Every year thousands of pilgrims from the Sikh community visit the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Nankana Sahib, near Lahore in Pakistan. Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Comittee (SGPC) which is the mini parliament of Sikh religion headquartered in Punjab's Amritsar city, has meanwhile applied for permission from the home ministry to allow Sikhs to go to Pakistan next week in connection with Gurpurab, the birth anniversary celebration of Guru Nanak Dev.

"We understand that the government issued the travel advisory in view of the bad situation in Pakistan. Anything can happen there. If the government feels that it (Pakistan) is unsafe, it should ban all travel to that country," (Avtar Singh) Makkar (SGPC President) said.
"We have applied for permission for our jatha (group) to go there. If the clearance is given, it becomes the responsibility of the Indian government to talk to Pakistan to ensure security of the Sikh pilgrims," he added. The SGPC jatha for the Nov 2 event could have 1,500-2,000 devotees.

"The (travel) advisory alone does not help. If we (SGPC) don't send pilgrims, and pilgrims decide to go in smaller groups, it will be embarrassing for us," Makkar added.

A similar group of 200 pilgrims had to cut it's visit short while they were on a visit to Pakistan earlier this month when the recent spate of violence and attacks broke out. While the attacks and military action continues in Pakistan, pilgrims await the government decision on the SGPC application.

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