Indian Sikhs given visas for festival in Pakistan

Indian Sikh pilgrims have been issued visas for neighbouring Pakistan, the first major allowance after travel between the arch-rival nations was frozen during conflict in May. here was no immediate response from New Delhi, but Indian newspapers reported on Saturday that the government would allow “selected” groups to travel for a 10-day festival to celebrate the founder of the Sikh faith. Tensions remain high between New Delhi and Islamabad, after deadly clashes between the nuclear-armed rivals in May -- the worst fighting since 1999. The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi said it had issued “over 2,100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India”. Tens of thousands of Sikh pilgrims are expected to flock to Pakistan’s city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. Nankana Sahib lies 85 kilometres (52 miles) west of the border with India. Celebrations are expected to begin on Tuesday.