Pakistan Denies Preventing Indian Envoy from Visiting Gurudwara

India had taken strong exception to the alleged denial, despite a travel permission granted by the Pakistan’s MFA.

File image of India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria. 

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@Ajaybis)

Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisrai, on Sunday, 24 June, said that he was not allowed to enter Gurudwara Panja Sahib near Islamabad and that the matter has been taken up at all possible levels.

I was not allowed to go in to meet with the Indian pilgrims (visiting the Gurdwara Panja Sahib near Islamabad) which is a normal diplomatic duty of an envoy. It has been taken up at all levels. We hope such things are not repeated.

Ajay Bisrai, Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, quoted by ANI

Bisaria and his wife were allegedly denied entry by Sikhs who were protesting over the controversial movie Nanak Shah Fakir.

Pakistan Denies Allegations

Pakistan on Sunday rejected the allegations that Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria was denied access to a famous Sikh Gurduwara near Islamabad, saying the diplomat had agreed to cancel his visit following the protests by the Sikh pilgrims against the movie.

India on Saturday, 23 June, summoned Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi Syed Haider Shah and lodged a strong protest over the denial of access to its envoy in Islamabad and consular officials to visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib and meet visiting Indian pilgrims.

It was conveyed to the Pakistani side that preventing the Indian High Commission officials from discharging their consular responsibilities was in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, and the 1974 bilateral Protocol on visit to religious shrines.

Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal on Sunday tweeted that Sikh pilgrims "were protesting against maltreatment in India & release of controversial movies." He said the Indian High Commissioner was informed about the heightened pilgrim sentiments and he agreed to cancel his visit due to this concern.

Faisal said that more than 300 Indian Sikhs are visiting Pakistan for the death anniversary of Raja Ranjit Singh and a special train was arranged from Attari to Wagah for the Sikh yatris "who are always welcome to Pakistan for their religious and cultural ceremonies".

The Supreme Court in April had cleared the decks for an all-India release of the movie on 13 April.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)