India Issues Only 100 Visas for Ajmer Urs Pilgrims

Rehan Khan

Islamabad: Indian authorities have issued visas to only 100 Pakistani pilgrims for the annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer Sharif, a significant reduction from the allocated quota of 500 visas.

According to Muhammad Umar Butt, spokesperson for the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, India’s decision to limit visas has denied 400 Pakistani pilgrims the opportunity to attend the event.

Despite these restrictions, 100 pilgrims are scheduled to depart for Ajmer Sharif on Sunday via the Wagah border. They will participate in various religious ceremonies at the shrine of the revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, affectionately known as Gharib Nawaz.

The Ministry expressed its disappointment over the curtailed visas, emphasizing the significance of the annual Urs in fostering interfaith harmony and cultural exchange.