Indian High Commission officials had to return back without meeting the protesting Sikh community members in Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Sheikhupura, after the latter refused to meet any Indian official. According to Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, the Indian High Commission visited Gurdwara Sacha Sauda, Sheikhupura, to meet the protesting pilgrims of Sikh community.
"But they [Indian officials] were not allowed due to security reasons, keeping in view the hostile environment," he said, adding that they left without meeting the protesting Sikh pilgrims. He said that the Sikh community has reservations on the press release recently issued by Indian External Affairs Ministry particularly with regard to Khalistan Movement.
On April 16, the Indian External Affairs Ministry summoned Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan. In a press release, the Indian External Affairs Ministry stated: "A strong protest was lodged at attempts being made during the ongoing visit of the Sikh pilgrims from India to Pakistan to raise the issue of 'Khalistan' by making inflammatory statements and displaying posters at various places of pilgrims visit in Pakistan."
Pakistan, however, rejected the Indian allegations of 'attempts to incite Indian pilgrims' on the issue of Khalistan and vowed to continue facilitating Sikh pilgrims on their visit to their holy sites in the country despite Indian propaganda.
"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," Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said in response to the Indian government allegations. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office spokesperson also confirmed that one Indian Sikh pilgrim, namely Amarjit Singh, went missing in Pakistan, adding that the authorities are looking into the matter.
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