ISLAMABAD – Foreign Office has categorically rejected Indian allegations that Pakistan is attempting to incite Indian pilgrims on the issue of Khalistan.
In a statement on Tuesday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said that by spreading such falsehoods, India has chosen to deliberately stoke further controversy around the visit of Sikh pilgrims, currently attending the Baisakhi and Khalsa Janamdin ceremonies in Pakistan.
Dr Faisal pointed out the Sikh community has been protesting against the government of India for screening a controversial movie in India, which hurt their religious sentiments. These protests had started in India and other parts of the world before the Sikh Yatrees arrived in Pakistan.
The spokesperson said the Indian attempts to distort the truth and obfuscate facts are unethical and regrettable. Pakistan welcomes and facilitates Hindu and Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including India, he added.
He said Pakistan remains committed to continuing such cooperation, which is in line with our religious ethos, traditions of hospitality, and provisions of the 1974 Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines.
The spokesperson said India should respect international and inter-state norms, respect all religions, especially minorities, and refrain from indulging in pointless provocation which only vitiates an already charged environment to the detriment of all.
