Assam is buzzing with a fresh political dispute, and it all revolves around a decade-old trip to Pakistan! Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi is under the microscope, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma demanding answers about a specific part of his 2013 visit. It’s a classic political spat, simplified: a question of “where were you and how did you get there?”
The story unfolds as Gaurav Gogoi recently confirmed he visited the ancient site of Takshashila in Pakistan in December 2013. He explained he accompanied his wife, who was there for work, and stated they had “due permission” for the 10-day trip. Sounds straightforward, right? Not so fast, says CM Sarma.
According to the Chief Minister, there’s a serious inconsistency. Sarma alleges that Gogoi’s Pakistan visa explicitly permitted travel only to three major cities: Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Here’s the catch: Takshashila isn’t in Islamabad; it’s located squarely in the Rawalpindi District. Pakistan’s immigration rules generally don’t allow travel beyond designated visa cities without special authorization.
This discrepancy has fueled CM Sarma’s questions. “If his Pakistan visa explicitly permitted travel only to Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, how did he visit Takshashila, which lies outside the Islamabad Capital Territory and squarely within Rawalpindi District?” Sarma challenged. He further emphasized the sensitivity of Rawalpindi, known for housing the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters. The Chief Minister is calling for a “clear and transparent explanation” from Gogoi, turning a historical trip into a hot-button political issue.
