(a) the number of Sikhs, who are Pakistani nationals, granted visas during 1999 and 2000 to visit historic Sikh Shrines in Punjab and other parts of India;
(b) the number of Hindus, who are Pakistani nationals, granted visas during the above mentioned period to visit Hindu Shrines in various parts of India;
(c) whether there has been any discrimination in the grant of visas on the basis of religion; and
(d) if so, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI U.V. KRISHNAM RAJU)
(a) & (b) The grant of visas to each other`s nationals by India and Pakistan is generally covered by the Visa Agreement between the two countries. This Agreement does not specifically provide for visas to individuals for visits to historic and sacred shrines. Group visits to designated shrines are covered under the bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines. Under the Protocol, Muslim pilgrim groups visit India and Sikh and Hindu Jathas visit Pakistan. However, in special cases the Government of India permits group visits by Pakistani Hindus and Sikhs to India.
The number of visas issued to Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from Pakistan over the last two years is as follows:
(i) Visas issued to Sikh pilgrims from Pakistan:
Year No. of Applications No. of Applications No. of Visas Received Rejected Issued
1999 352 Nil 352 2000 Nil Nil Nil
(ii) Visas issued to Hindu pilgrims from Pakistan:
Year No. of Applications No. of Applications No. of Visas Received Rejected Issued
1999 264 Nil 264 2000 132 Nil 132