Lahore, A Pakistani court has rejected the petition, in which the government had requested to issue a visa to a 29-year-old Indian national who wanted to perform the Haj pilgrimage on foot. This person wanted to go to Saudi Arabia on foot via Pakistan for Hajj. Shihab Bhai, a resident of Kerala, left his home.
Last month, he had covered a distance of about 3000 km to reach the Wagah border. But he was stopped by Pakistani officials at the Wagah border, as he did not have a visa. A bench of the Lahore High Court dismissed the petition filed by local citizen Sarwar Taj on behalf of Shihab.
The bench said that the petitioner was not related to an Indian citizen, nor did he have power of attorney to appear in court. The court sought complete information about the Indian citizen. Which the applicant could not provide. After that the court rejected this application.
An official of the government investigation agency said that the officials were told by Shihab that he had already walked 3000 km to come here.
He should therefore be allowed to enter Pakistan on humanitarian grounds. Also, this person, a resident of Kerala, needed a transit visa, so that he could go to Saudi Arabia via Iran. Taj, the petitioner on behalf of Shihab in the High Court argued that the same way visas are given to Indian Sikhs to come to Pakistan on Baba Guru Nanakji’s birthday, Shihab should also be given a visa.
Taj told the court that Shihab was walking from Kerala. He should be given Pakistan visa and allowed to enter Pakistan via Wagah border. So that it can reach the destination.
In fact, the Taj had challenged the decision of a single bench of the High Court, which dismissed the Taj’s plea last month. Then once again Pakistan High Court has not given permission in this matter.SS1MS
