India Repatriates 14 Pak Nationals, Pak Issues Visas to Sikhs
India repatriated to Pakistan nine fishermen and four civilian prisoners along with a child.
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India repatriated to Pakistan nine fishermen and four civilian prisoners along with a child on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
On its part, Pakistan issued visas to over 2,600 Sikh pilgrims to attend the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev from 2 November till 11 November, a Pakistan High Commission release said.
All the prisoners crossed over to Pakistan through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border on the basis of emergency travel certificates issued by the Pakistan High Commission, officials said.
Asserting that it attaches high priority to addressing all humanitarian issues, including early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and prisoners in Pakistan's custody, the MEA said the release of 370 Indian prisoners, including 363 fishermen, has been secured in 2017 so far.
Maintaining that visa to Sikh pilgrims were issued in line with Pakistan's efforts to promote religious tourism and people-to-people interactions, the Pakistan High Commission said the government was committed to protecting sacred religious places and providing all possible facilities for the visiting pilgrims of all faiths.
It also said that visas issued by the high commission in New Delhi were in addition to the visas issued to Sikh pilgrims participating in the event from other countries.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
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