Indian Punjab CM can visit Pakistan, says FO

Pakistan has no restrictions on issuing a visa to the chief minister of India’s Punjab state, the Foreign Office has clarified, adding that visa services for Indian citizens have not been suspended.

Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said more than 4,000 Sikh pilgrims had been issued visas this year to visit Pakistan, reaffirming Islamabad’s continued facilitation of religious visits from India.

Speaking during a weekly press briefing, the spokesperson said there was no specific restriction preventing Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann from obtaining a Pakistani visa. His remarks came amid questions about the possibility of the Indian state leader visiting Pakistan.

Khan also confirmed that Pakistan had received an invitation from India to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi from November 20 to 22.

He said Pakistan’s leadership would decide whether to attend the meeting after completing the necessary institutional consultations and procedural requirements. He did not confirm Pakistan’s participation at this stage.

Discussing regional security, the spokesperson said the first consultative meeting of member countries of the Makkah Alliance with Iran reflected the alliance’s defensive and peace-oriented objectives.

He stressed that the alliance was not directed against any particular country but aimed at promoting regional peace, stability and security.

Khan added that dates for the alliance’s future meetings had not yet been finalised, although further consultations would take place at an appropriate time.

Responding to a question about the Pakistan-Iran border, the spokesperson confirmed that cross-border movement was taking place. However, he said the current operational status of the border would need to be verified with the relevant authorities.