India tick marks fruitful results; Pakistan allows visa free movement for Sikh pilgrims visiting Kartarpur Corridor

New Delhi, July 15: Coming to conclusion after an intensified discussion keeping religious sentiments and safety of the pilgrims on top priority, India and Pakistan discussed modalities of facilitation for Kartarpur Corridor visitors. Slating a positive response, the officials of Pakistan asserted that the neighbouring country will allow 5,000 Sikh pilgrims per day throughout the year to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib.

 

According to the statement by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was said that after the second meeting of officials of India and Pakistan, the experts of both sides also discussed technical details of the Kartarpur Corridor, including the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. The corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Sikh faith founder Guru Nanak Dev.

The statement said, “Pakistan has decided to allow 5000 pilgrims per day (to be increased as capacity allows) throughout the year except for closure on administrative or other basis which will be informed in advance.” The Ministry of External Affairs has also tweeted a video highlighting the developments made by the people visiting Kartarpur Corridor.

 

To further facilitate the pilgrims, Pakistan is building walkways to permit travel by foot from the start. Pilgrims may travel individually or in groups, preferably of 15 people each, it said. Furthermore the decision to allow maximum pilgrims was taken in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s commitment to operationalize the corridor for the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

During their talks, both sides had in-depth and productive discussions on the proposed draft agreement and agreed to expeditiously finalise the modalities for operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor in time for the 550th anniversary celebrations. Pakistan has agreed to the Indian request to construct a bridge in the second phase after the 550 anniversary celebrations. The bridge will be constructed in phase 2 due to time constraints with a creek pathway constructed in the interim period.

The meeting built up on the discussion from the first meeting held in Atari, India on March 14, 2019, it said. The Pakistan delegation planted a sapling to commemorate the spirit of cooperation and friendship of the Kartarpur initiative.