Full Analysis Summary
Pakistan's Visa Policy Clarification
Pakistan’s Foreign Office denied Indian media claims that it barred Hindu community members from attending Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary events.
The office insisted the matter was administrative rather than religious or political.
It stated that over 2,400 visas were issued to Sikh pilgrims from India, with about 1,932 crossing via Attari-Wagah.
Some visa holders were stopped by Indian authorities, and a small number were turned back by Pakistani immigration for incomplete documents.
The Foreign Office characterized the allegations as false, misleading, completely incorrect, and mischievous.
It emphasized openness to pilgrims of all faiths while rejecting attempts to politicize the issue.
Coverage Differences
tone
The News International (Asian) frames Pakistan’s rebuttal with institutional phrasing—calling the allegations “false and misleading” and stressing the issue was “purely administrative, not religious or political.” Arab News (West Asian) amplifies the spokesperson’s rhetoric—quoting Tahir Andrabi calling the claims “completely incorrect and mischievous”—and explicitly describes the Indian reports as alleging Hindus were denied on religious grounds.
specificity
Arab News (West Asian) provides a breakdown, stating about 1,932 crossed and around 300 were stopped by Indian authorities, while The News International (Asian) notes that some visa holders were prevented by Indian authorities but does not quantify that subset.
Pilgrimage Entry Controversy
Both outlets report that the contested allegation centered on Hindus traveling alongside Sikh pilgrims for the 10‑day celebrations of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary.
Pakistan says entry denials were not motivated by religion; most pilgrims crossed smoothly, while those turned back lacked complete documentation per standard procedures.
The gatherings marked a significant inflow tied to the Nov. 4–13 festivities commemorating the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
Coverage Differences
narrative
Arab News (West Asian) explicitly states that Indian media alleged Hindus accompanying Sikh pilgrims were barred, while The News International (Asian) summarizes the claim more generally as barring “some Hindu community members” without the accompaniment detail.
specificity
Arab News (West Asian) specifies the festival as marking the 556th birth anniversary and notes standard procedure for turning back incomplete documentation, whereas The News International (Asian) emphasizes the dates of Nov. 4–13 without the ordinal detail.
Sikh Pilgrimage and Border Movement
Context around cross-border movement features prominently.
This was the first major land crossing of Sikh pilgrims since deadly clashes in May led to a land border closure.
The Kartarpur Corridor remains shut.
Despite this, Pakistan emphasizes that it issues large numbers of visas and receives significant pilgrim flows.
Thousands visit sites like Nankana Sahib.
Officials cite a resident Sikh community of over 15,000.
Coverage Differences
missed information
The News International (Asian) focuses on the border-security context—deadly May clashes, land border closure, and Kartarpur Corridor’s continued shutdown—while Arab News (West Asian) omits those closure details but provides broader social-religious context about Sikh populations and pilgrim volumes.
Travel Disruptions and Responses
Both outlets attribute travel disruptions largely to administrative and cross-border controls rather than religion.
Pakistan says Indian authorities stopped some visa holders at the border.
Only a few were refused entry by Pakistan due to incomplete paperwork.
Both reject politicization of the issue.
Arab News quotes officials who accuse Indian media and government of pushing a prejudiced narrative.
The News International reiterates Pakistan’s openness to pilgrims of all faiths without making that explicit accusation.
Coverage Differences
tone
Arab News (West Asian) uses stronger attribution by reporting Pakistan’s accusation of a “prejudiced narrative” by Indian media and government, whereas The News International (Asian) confines itself to rejecting politicization and affirming openness to all faiths, without naming Indian government as part of the alleged narrative.
specificity
Arab News (West Asian) quantifies those stopped by India (~300), while The News International (Asian) does not give a number, maintaining a general reference to administrative checks and documentation.