<p>The Pakistan High Commission on Wednesday said it has issued over 1,100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual Baisakhi celebrations from April 12 to 22.</p>.<p>Under the framework of the Pakistan-India protocol on visits to religious shrines of 1974, a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals every year, the high commissiostan said.</p>.<p>It said the visas have been issued as a "special gesture" by the Pakistan government in view of the importance of Baisakhi for Punjabis and Sikhs marking the start of their new year.</p>.<p>"The Pakistan High Commission extends special felicitations to all those celebrating this auspicious occasion and wishes the visiting pilgrims a fulfilling yatra," the high commission said in a statement.</p>.<p>"The issuance of pilgrimage visas is a part of the Government of Pakistan's efforts for facilitating visits to religious shrines," it said.</p>.<p>The issuance of visas came amid some signs of eagerness by both countries to move forward in their ties.</p>.<p>In February, the Indian and Pakistani armies recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefire on the Line of Control. The return to the ceasefire was agreed upon by the director-generals of military operations of the two countries.</p>.<p>Late last month, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said the LoC has been silent for the first time in around five to six years as not a single shot was fired on it in March barring an odd incident. </p>
<p>The Pakistan High Commission on Wednesday said it has issued over 1,100 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual Baisakhi celebrations from April 12 to 22.</p>.<p>Under the framework of the Pakistan-India protocol on visits to religious shrines of 1974, a large number of Sikh pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to observe various religious festivals every year, the high commissiostan said.</p>.<p>It said the visas have been issued as a "special gesture" by the Pakistan government in view of the importance of Baisakhi for Punjabis and Sikhs marking the start of their new year.</p>.<p>"The Pakistan High Commission extends special felicitations to all those celebrating this auspicious occasion and wishes the visiting pilgrims a fulfilling yatra," the high commission said in a statement.</p>.<p>"The issuance of pilgrimage visas is a part of the Government of Pakistan's efforts for facilitating visits to religious shrines," it said.</p>.<p>The issuance of visas came amid some signs of eagerness by both countries to move forward in their ties.</p>.<p>In February, the Indian and Pakistani armies recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefire on the Line of Control. The return to the ceasefire was agreed upon by the director-generals of military operations of the two countries.</p>.<p>Late last month, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said the LoC has been silent for the first time in around five to six years as not a single shot was fired on it in March barring an odd incident. </p>