The High Commission in New Delhi confirmed that the visas were issued to a group of pilgrims for their visit to the revered Shree Katas Raj Temples in Chakwal district, which is scheduled from February 24 to March 2.
Pakistan’s charge d’affaires in India, Saad Ahmad Warraich, expressed his well wishes for the pilgrims, hoping their journey would be spiritually fulfilling. He also reiterated that the Pakistani government will “continue to facilitate such visits as per its policy to promote interfaith harmony and mutual understanding,” according to the statement.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan and India will lock horns in the UAE in the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday. The rivals will clash with Rohit Sharma’s men aiming to seal a semifinal spot and Mohammad Rizwan’s team desperate to avoid an early elimination from the tournament.
India declined to travel to hosts Pakistan for the tournament citing security concerns.
While India are on a high after claiming a six-wicket win over Bangladesh, Pakistan are evidently tense after the 60-run loss in the tournament-opener against New Zealand.
The sub-continental rivals’ last Champion Trophy clash was the 2017 final in which Pakistan walked away with the win and the trophy. Rizwan and Co. would look to draw inspiration from that triumph in London but would also need to scale up their performance in every department.
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Though the buzz surrounding the match is nowhere close to being what it used to be at the peak of diplomatic tensions between the two countries, there is an air of quiet anticipation for the Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
