Religious Tourism in Pakistan

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Sri Lankan Buddhist monks visiting their religious sites incl. Takht-e-Bahi in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province

 

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Do we have guided tours for these sites?

 

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Govt to simplify visa process for Sikh pilgrims
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to include the category of ‘religious tourism’ in the online visa system that would allow Sikh pilgrims seeking to visit the Kartarpur gurdwara to be issued visas within seven to 10 days.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior, a meeting was held to simplify the visa procedure for Sikh pilgrims.

The interior secretary informed the participants of the meeting about Prime Minister Imran Khan’s instructions to simplify the procedure as a “goodwill gesture towards the Sikh community”.

Under the new category, two kinds of applicants will be facilitated – Sikh pilgrims of Indian origin who are foreign nationals. They will be considered citizens of the countries of which they hold a passport. The others are the Sikh pilgrims who hold an Indian passport but also a residence permit of another country.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will finalise a standard operating procedure to facilitate the Sikh pilgrims falling in the new category.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will communicate to the Pakistani Missions abroad about the new standard operating procedure.

On receiving an application from a Sikh pilgrim, the system will send guidelines to the applicant for visiting the Pakistani embassy for the verification of their credentials.

NADRA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will forward the standard operating procedure they finalise to the Ministry of Interior so that the cabinet’s approval can be sought for the required amendment to the policy.

Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor in November this year on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak and urged India to show flexibility on the matter.

The announcement came after the third meeting on the Kartarpur Corridor at Attari, India on Wednesday. The meeting discussed the modalities of the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur by using the Kartarpur Corridor.

The Pakistan delegation was led by Dr Mohammad Faisal, Director General for South Asia and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SA& Saarc) at the Foreign Ministry. The Indian side was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Both sides held detailed discussions on outstanding issues, including issuance of cards to visiting pilgrims. Dr Faisal, who is also the Foreign Office Spokesperson, said that both the sides exchanged dossiers on the corridor expansion.

In a post-meeting press briefing at the Wagah border, Dr Faisal said that Pakistan had taken unprecedented steps to facilitate the Sikh pilgrims. He urged India to show flexibility and leave political rhetoric aside.

“India needs to show some flexibility as we have taken an unprecedented initiative to reflect our commitment to the minorities,” he said, adding that another round of delegation-level talks would be held to finalise the agreement.

During the talks, the two sides agreed on visa-free travel by Indian pilgrims – in groups and as individuals. The corridor will be open all year round for 5,000 pilgrims every day, Dr Faisal said, adding that the pilgrims will be provided Langar and Prasad.

I here want to propose, along with the already proposed and highlighted potential opportunities, 2 more opportunities, which has the potential to match muslims pilgrim gathering in SA. These opportunities are gathering arranged by tablighi jamat and Balrelvi Jamat. At the moment, only one big gathering takes place in Raiwind, but these gatherings can be extended in all 4(or 5 ) provinces, with an equal time difference(around the year). Making visa easy, this way not only tourism industry will be strengthen, but Pakistan can build all new opportunities all around the world for its people. Our soft power will be beyond imagination, and Madras will be in main industrial flow, with all their strength.

 

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One of the most famous mud volcanoes is Chandragup, a sacred annual pilgrimage site for thousands of Hindus, along with the nearby Hinglaj temple.
Balochistan.

PHOTOGRAPH BY BASHIR OSMAN

 

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Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib’s official website launched


Any temple or Gurdwara does not pose any threat to ideological foundations of Pakistan, says federal minister



September 18, 2020

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri says our religion and constitution ensure the right of religious freedom to minorities.


LAHORE: Pakistan on Friday launched the official website of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib – one of the holiest places for approximately 30 million Sikhs around the world.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri, addressing the launching ceremony, said that the generosity shown by Pakistan regarding religious freedom is unparalleled in any other country.
"The establishment of any temple or Gurdwara does not pose any threat to the ideological foundations of Pakistan," he added.

Qadri said that the ancient and historical Gurdwaras in Pakistan are not only significant for Sikhs but were also part of the culture of Punjab. "In October 2018, Prime Minister Imran Khan told me and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi that he wanted to open Kartarpur Corridor. A year after the decision, the world witnessed that we opened the world's largest Gurdwara and the corridor was established."


The federal minister went on to say that "our religion and constitution ensure the right of religious freedom to minorities". "However, on the other hand, the whole world witnessed the way Muslims are being treated in neighbouring India," he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Dr Aamir Ahmad said that the Kartarpur website would be a gateway for the whole world. "Pilgrims and tourists from all over the world will be able to get information before visiting here," he said, adding that the move was an attempt to highlight Pakistan's soft image.

He said copies of the book, Historical Gurdwaras in Pakistan, on Sikh heritage would be provided to embassies around the world. Copies will also be distributed to diplomats from all countries in Islamabad.
Head of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Sardar Satwant Singh said that Sikhs in Pakistan are safer than in India. "Mosques and Gurdwaras were being razed in India. Sikhs are truly ruling in Pakistan. Through this website and book, we want to show the whole world how Sikhs are happily and freely living in Pakistan."

The negative propaganda, he said, is spread against Pakistan that historical Gurdwaras is being changed in Pakistan. "I challenge to point out anyone that Gurdwara in Pakistan whose original building has been altered. Many Gurdwaras are being renovated in Pakistan."

Parliamentary Secretary Minority Affairs in Punjab Mahendra Pal Singh said that all possible steps were being taken to provide security and facilities to Gurdwaras.

He said that Pakistan's image has improved all over the world and the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor was a clear message of Pakistan's friendship for peace.

Secretary Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Sardar Amir Khan said that all the important Gurdwaras in Pakistan have the light of Guru Granth Sahib.

"The Gurdwara Kartarpur Corridor is the greatest gift of a century that the government has given to its minority community. The Indian government is deliberately not allowing pilgrims to enter Pakistan through the corridor," he added.

 

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1309207596965015553

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481st death anniversary (JotiJot) of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Jee was observed at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur


PAKISTANINTERNATIONAL
Sep 23, 2020








481st death anniversary (JotiJot) of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Jee was observed at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. Large number of Sikh/ Nanak Namleva Sangat (str – 4500/5000) from Punjab, KPK and Sindh participated in the function



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The event started on 20 Sep 2020, with Paath Sahib (recitation of Guru Granth Sahib) which ended today with Bhog Akhand Paath Sahib and Ardas (prayers) on 22 Sep 2020.

Nagar Kirtan (str 200) was taken out in 15 buses/cars at 10 am from Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and reached Zero Point (Pak – India border). After Erdas, they moved back and reached Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at 1130 am. Erdas was performed by Granthi and PSGPC members. The Nigar Kirtan procession was led by ETPB Shrines Branch and PSGPC.

The concluding ceremony in Dewan Asthan was held from 12 to 1 pm. VC Narowal University Dr Tariq Mehmud was the Chief Guest. The speakers highlighted the efforts of Pakistani government and condemned Indian government for not allowing yatrees through Corridor to attend such an important even.

 

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Religious tourism in Pakistan


by The Frontier Post

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that his government was currently working on creating a Holy Buddhist Trail, which will include the most revered Buddhist heritage sites in Pakistan. The Prime Minister was talking to an 11-member delegation of prominent Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka, which called on him on the invitation of government of Pakistan.

While referring to the Gandhara heritage of the country, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan was a proud custodian of some of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world and offered a great religious tourism opportunity for tourists from across the world, especially Sri Lanka. He informed the delegation that his government is building a state-of-the-art logistical facility along the trail to facilitate Buddhist pilgrims.

Pakistan is home to richest Buddhist heritage of Gandhara civilization date back to first century B.C.E. through fifth century C.E. The Buddhist heritage are spread over several areas of the country ranging from Swat valley, Takht-e-Bahi, Peshawar and Hari Pur. The Country recently unveiled another site of Buddhist heritage in District Haripur, KPK. According to experts, these are 1700 years old Buddhist remains including 48 feet long sleeping Buddha image related to the ancient Bhamala Province under the Mauryan empire of King Ashoka some 2300 years ago.

Besides, Buddhism Pakistan also have several important heritage sites of Hindu and Sikhs religions. There are several sacred Sikhs religious sites including Nankana Sahib (the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak), Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartar Pur, Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hassan Abdal, Gurdwara Dera Sahib and Samadhi Ranjit Singh (Lahore) etc. All these sites have great importance in Sikh religion and a source of attraction for the Sikh yatrees and other tourists across the world.

Similarly, there are numerous Hindu religious sites across the country including holy Hindu Shrines Shree Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas in Chakwal district, Punjab, Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib, at Sukkur, Sindh, Hinglai Mata Temple (Balochistan), Shri Ramdev Pir Temple (Sindh), Umarkot Shev Mandir and Churrio Jabal Durga Mata temple (Sindh).

Fortunately, Pakistan has unlimited prospects for religious tourism in the country. However, there is need for infrastructure development, provision of essential facilities and tourism friendly environment in the country. Pakistan also needs to relax its visa regime to attract tourists arcoss the globe.

 

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MINGORA: A 15-member delegation of Buddhist Monks from Sri Lankan Saturday visited Swat valley here. The Buddhist monks visited different Buddhist archeological sites and Swat Museum during their visit to the district. President Dharmavijaya Buddhist Vihara, Dr Walpole Piyananda was heading the delegation during the visit.

The monks are on an eight-day visit to Pakistan on the invitation of PM Imran Khan who had invited them during his recent visit to Sri Lanka.

The members of the delegation visited various Buddhist sites including Shringardar Stupa, Ghalegay Stupa, Butkara-I, Butkara-2,Saidu Sharif Stupa, Jehanabad Buddha in Manglawar, Swat Museum and other places in Barikot Tehsil and offered their religious practices. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa archeological department officials briefed the visiting monks about the history, preservation efforts, and future plans with regard to new excavation work on the new Buddhist sites.

Talking with media, Dr Walpole Piyananda said that Swat valley is home to the ancient Buddhist Civilizations. Many lankan’s pilgrims, monks and other people love to visit this beautiful valley and see some of the most beautiful ancient Buddhist sites.

The visit was organized by the High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka with a view to promote religious tourism in Pakistan by showcasing the historical importance besides warm hospitality to the visitors from different countries.

The Second Secretary, High Commission of Pakistan Colombo Ms Ayesha Abu Bakar told media that Pakistan is the main hub of ancient Buddhist Civilization which has remained hidden from the entire world. The main purpose of this visit is to promote religious tourism in the country. The monks also wrote their views in the visitors’ book at Swat Museum and appreciated the arrangements made by Pakistani government to promote religious tourism in the country.

 

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Pakistan has a huge potential for tourism. Here’s a list of multiple categories in which we can host international tourists in Pakistan.

 

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Ranjit Singh's Samadhi and Badshahi Masjid Lahore.
Date: c.1890s