Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan confirmed that the country is open to assessing Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's visa application for the November 27 event in Lahore. Mann had previously voiced skepticism about whether the central government would grant him the necessary political clearance to attend the cultural gathering. Last month, a similar dispute arose when the Centre blocked Mann's proposed visit to Paris, an order that was ultimately overturned by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In addition to the conference, Mann expressed hope that state lawmakers could eventually visit Kartarpur Sahib if border access resumes.
Key points
A potential cross-border visit by Punjab's chief minister relies entirely on political tr…: A potential cross-border visit by Punjab's chief minister relies entirely on political travel clearance from India's central government.
The Punjab government previously challenged the Centre in high court after being denied c…: The Punjab government previously challenged the Centre in high court after being denied clearance for an official trip to Paris.
Mann has expressed interest in leading state lawmakers to Kartarpur Sahib whenever the bi…: Mann has expressed interest in leading state lawmakers to Kartarpur Sahib whenever the bilateral pilgrimage corridor reopens.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
NEW DELHI: Pakistan has indicated its willingness to grant a visa to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann should he wish to visit the neighbouring country for the World Punjabi Conference in Lahore on November 27, following an
invitation to the event.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the remarks during his weekly media briefing while responding to a question about Mann's possible visit, PTI reported.
"The government would consider issuing Mann a visa if he wishes to visit Pakistan. However, whether the Indian government permits him to travel is an entirely separate matter," he told reporters in Islamabad.
On October 23, Mann had said that he had received an invitation to attend the World Punjabi Conference in Lahore.
However, the Punjab chief minister also raised doubts over whether he would be permitted to travel to Pakistan.
“Our culture is the same. Many poets from here will go there,” he remarked.
Mann had also voiced his wish for all members of the Punjab legislative assembly to visit Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan if it reopened.
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