Sikhs appeal to Pak to ease visa norms for pilgrims

Amritsar, Mar.3 (ANI): The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) has urged the Pakistan Government to liberalize visa norms for Indian pilgrims visiting Nankana Sahib, a holy Sikh shrine there.

SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar appealed to authorities in Pakistani to ease the visa norms.

Pakistan should allow pilgrims from India to visit Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak who is also the founder of Sikhism without too much hassle, Makkar said.

" It is a very pious place. Nankana Sahib is considered as the Mecca of the Sikh community. They should allow us to go and visit that place. We want the Haryana government to provide the Visas. We go there for our religious beliefs," he added.

There are over 170 Sikh historical shrines in Pakistan, but very few Indian pilgrims are allowed to visit the shrines due to the strict visa norms. (ANI)