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Pakistan Rejects Allegations of Denying Entry to Hindu Visitors, Calls Claims Baseless

By The South Asia Times

Islamabad— Pakistan on Friday strongly rejected allegations circulating in Indian media that members of the Hindu community were denied entry into its territory, terming the claims “entirely baseless, misleading, and politically motivated.”

In response to media queries, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Pakistan “categorically rejects the unfounded and misleading allegations” that any Hindu pilgrims were refused entry, emphasizing that the matter was purely administrative in nature and not linked to religion.

“The High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi had issued over 2,400 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend the celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji from November 4–13, 2025,” Andrabi said.

He noted that on November 4, a total of 1,932 pilgrims successfully crossed into Pakistan through the Attari–Wagah border, while approximately 300 visa holders were prevented by Indian authorities from crossing over.

“The entire immigration process on the Pakistani side was smooth, orderly, and free of any hindrance,” he added.

Andrabi explained that only a very small number of individuals were found to have incomplete documentation or were unable to provide satisfactory responses to immigration authorities. In line with standard procedures, they were asked to return to the Indian side.

“To suggest that these individuals were denied entry on religious grounds is completely incorrect and mischievous,” he said. “Pakistan has always welcomed pilgrims of all faiths to visit its sacred religious sites under a well-established and facilitative framework.”

The spokesperson cautioned against attempts to give the issue a communal or political colour, describing such efforts as “regrettable and reflective of the prejudiced mindset that increasingly dominates the Indian government and media narratives.”