A Pakistani model has apologised for engaging in a bareheaded photo shoot inside Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur which had invited the ire of the Sikh community from all over the world.

As the pictures of model Sauleha posted by a local clothing brand went viral on social media, the Pakistani Charge d'Affaires was summoned on Tuesday to convey India's deep concern at the incident of desecration of the sanctity of the holy gurdwara.

"It was conveyed that this reprehensible incident has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community in India and worldwide. Such continued incidents of desecration and disrespect of places of religious worship of the minority communities in Pakistan highlight the lack of respect for the faith of these communities," said Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs.

"It was further conveyed that we expect Pakistani authorities to sincerely investigate this matter and take action against those involved," he added.

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management committee, also slammed Pakistan for allowing a commercial shoot involving a bareheaded woman in the premises of Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib.

"Modelling at Sri Kartarpur Sahib is Desecration. Pak Court issued Arrest Warrant of star who did dance video at Mosque; same must be done against this woman from Lahore as an example of treating all religion at par. Otherwise, any talk of respect for Sikhism is hollow @GovtofPakistan," tweeted Sirsa.

Facing a severe social media backlash, Sauleha took to her Instagram account claiming that she had just gone to Kartarpur to "learn about the history and know about the Sikh community".

"It wasn't done to hurt anyone's sentiments or anything for that matter. However, if I have hurt anyone or they think that I don't respect their culture. I am sorry," she wrote.

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