Pakistan ready to give visa to Bhagwant Mann for Lahore Punjabi conference
The Pakistan Foreign Office has clarified that if Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wishes to attend the World Punjabi Conference in Lahore, the issuance of a visa to him will be considered. However, the matter of approval from the Centre is separate.
During his weekly press conference, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said that if Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wants to attend the World Punjabi Conference in Lahore, the Pakistan government will consider granting him a visa.
Sajjad Haider Khan clarified that whether the Chief Minister is permitted by the Government of India to visit Pakistan is entirely a separate matter for India.
Earlier on October 23, during the assembly session, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had stated that he received an invitation to the World Punjabi Conference to be held in Lahore on November 27.
At that time, targeting the central government, the Chief Minister had expressed apprehension that he might not get permission for this visit. He had said that when the Centre does not allow him to visit Japan and France, how will it let him go to Pakistan. He had said that the culture of both sides is shared and many poets from here will also go there. On this, Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan had said that upon receiving approval, the Chief Minister should take others along as well.
The Foreign Office spokesperson stated that Pakistan welcomes pilgrims of all religions. According to him, Pakistan issued visas to over 9,000 Indian pilgrims in the year 2025, and in the first six months of this year, over 4,000 visas have been issued to Sikh pilgrims.
The spokesperson also said that a large number of Sikh Sangat is awaited at Nankana Sahib on the occasion of the 557th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and a special task force has been formed for the upkeep of Buddhist heritage sites including Taxila.
Key developments
- Pakistan issued a statement to consider granting a visa to Bhagwant Mann for the World Punjabi Conference to be held in Lahore on November 27
- The Foreign Office clarified that getting approval from the Indian government is a separate matter
- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had expressed apprehension in the assembly regarding the Centre not granting permission
