Islamabad. 104 Sikh pilgrims who were ready to come to India from Pakistan got a shock when they were stopped at the airport. These devotees were issued visas by India to visit Sri Hemkunt Sahib. But even after this, at the last moment, he was stopped from boarding the flight from Faisalabad Airport to Sharjah. Let us tell you, there is no direct flight between India and Pakistan. After Operation Sindoor, the land route to Attari-Wagah border is also closed. In such a situation, travelers from both the countries have to come through a third country.

According to a report, these devotees, who were preparing to come to India for a long time, got a shock when the immigration officials of Pakistan demanded 'nine objection certificates' (NOC) at the airport. On this, it was argued on behalf of the devotees that none of them were in government service, nor were they part of the government in any way. He has a passport and a legal visa. In such a situation, there is no need for NOC. However, even after this, Pakistani authorities detained him at Faisalabad airport and deboarded his flight.

Devotees say that due to this act they have faced huge financial loss. Apart from this, now his trip to India has also come in danger.

Talk about NOC started only after arrival at the airport – Sikh devotee

Group leader Papinder Singh said that all the passengers had other documents including visa and passport. He was to leave by flight to Sharjah at 2:10 pm on Friday afternoon. From there again we had to catch a flight to Delhi. The ticket was already booked. But the immigration officials did not allow him to proceed further. Earlier nothing was said about NOC, but as soon as we reached the airport the issue of NOC was raised.

In a video that went viral from Faisalabad airport, a devotee is seen asking what is the use of NOC for common citizens. He said everyone in the group had valid Indian visas. He also has a Pakistani passport. In such a situation, no question of NOC arises. He said, “We are all ordinary citizens. There is no government man. There is no criminal case against anyone. In such a situation, I don't know why NOC is being asked from us.”

Loss of more than Rs 2 crore- Sikh devotees

These 100 people who flew from Faisalabad to Shahjah and from there to New Delhi have suffered huge financial loss due to this incident. A devotee said that the entire group suffered a total loss of Pakistani rupees 2 crore. Had he been allowed to catch his flight on time, he would have reached India on Friday evening itself and could have worked as per his schedule.

At present, how will these people travel further? There is a crisis on this. They have requested the Pakistani authorities to allow them to enter India through Attari Wagah Border. However, let us tell you that this land route is closed after Operation Sindoor.