The Pakistan High Commission has rejected visa applications of 150 Sikh pilgrims seeking to visit Pakistan, to commemorate the martyrdom day of the 5th Sikh Guru Arjan Dev.
The visa applications were rejected after differences over the date of observing the martyrdom day, with SGPC officials wanting the visa for Sikh pilgrims for today (May 22). Pakistan said it would grant visa for June 16 when the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee observes the anniversary.
We wanted the visas for Sikh pilgrims to visit Pakistan on May 22, when SGPC is observing the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev, while Pakistan government said they are observing the day on June 16 and could grant visa only for that day. We would celebrate the day as per our Sikh traditions and not as per Pakistan. This is interference in the internal affairs of Sikhs.
— SGPC President, Avtar Singh Makkar
The Pakistan High Commission, however, said they had not denied the visas but the dates given to them by the PSGP is between June 8 to 17 and they can only issue visas for that period.
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