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For the first time in 75 years, Pakistani tourists will come to India by special Pakistan International Airlines(PIA) flight from which Pakistani Hindu pilgrims will visit India for three days. Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, patron of Pakistan Hindu Council and Hindu MP of the ruling Imran Khan's party, said that he would lead a delegation of Pakistani pilgrims to India on January 29. During his stay in India, he will visit Dargah Nizamuddin Auliya Delhi, Dargah Khwaja Garib Nawaz Ajmer Sharif and Taj Mahal Agra, the great monument of Mughal rule.
To promote religious tourism, Dr Ramesh Kumar told that on February 20 next month, Air India flight will be operated from Delhi to Peshawar so that Indian passengers will get a chance to visit Ramhans Ji Maharaj's Samadhi and Teri Mandir. Dr Vankwani said, "Pakistani pilgrims will be taken by special PIA flight to visit religious places in India, while Indian pilgrims will reach Pakistan by Air India flights."
While saying that the series of flights between the two countries has been started every month. Vankwani further expressed hope that by promoting religious tourism, people of both countries can come closer. According to him, the proposed visit of Pakistani pilgrims to India on November 24 last year and later on New Year's Eve is in connection with the religious tourism initiative.
This month, Hindu pilgrims from India and Gulf countries reached Peshawar on January 1 on an Emirates Airlines flight from Dubai to visit the Teri Temple, the tomb of Param Hansji Maharaj in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Indian pilgrims were not allowed to travel in a PIA flight at the last minute by the Indian authorities, after which they were brought to Pakistan via the Wagah border.
However, Dr Ramesh Kumar has accepted the proposal of the Government of India to facilitate Indian passengers in Air India flights. He further announced, "On March 1 another delegation of Indian travellers will land in Karachi by Air India flight for pilgrimage to Hinglaj Mata Temple Balochistan and other historical holy sites."
Photo Courtesy: [Anna Zvereva/flickr]
