Police in one of Pakistan’s erstwhile tribal districts have performed the tribal ritual of nanawatai seeking pardon over the alleged harassment of two foreign tourists.

It is reportedly the first time in the history of the Pakistani tribal region that nanawatai – which is part of Pashtunwali – has been performed for foreigners.

A tourist couple ran into trouble in Khyber district’s border town of Jamrud after failing to cross into Afghanistan on Sunday because their documents were no longer valid.

The male tourist was Russian, while the woman was reported to be from Kazakhstan.

The incident led to the couple being stranded in Jamrud’s bazaar while onlookers gathered to find out what was going on. One video showed the woman in tears.

However, after speculation of police harassment ended with police officials explaining the legal status of the tourists and the woman tourists saying that she cried not because of harassment but due to the fact that photos of her documents were leaked to social media, the police officials tried to make up through nanawatai which was performed on Tuesday.

The police invited the tourists over for a meal and slaughtered a sheep for the occasion.

They also arranged for local music to be played at the cermony.

The female tourist was gifted a traditional shawl by the police officials as well.

Nanawatai is an old Pashtun custom where asylum or sanctuary is offered to those in need. It is also a ritual of forgiveness where differences are resolved to turn over a new leaf in their relations. People offering nanawatai usually take along a sacrificial lamb whose meat is eaten when the apology is accepted. When woman perform the ritual, it is often done with the Quran above their head.