Pakistan Opens Kartarpur Corridor for Indian Sikh Pilgrims on Saturday

Indian Sikh pilgrims who arrived in Pakistan on Nov. 5 through Wagha Border to attend Kartarpur Corridor opening ceremony

By Nasir Aijaz
AsiaN Representative

Islamabad: Inaugural ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims at Pakistan-India border near Narowal city of Punjab province will be held on Saturday November 9. A ceremony will also be held separately at the same time on Indian side of border.

The corridor will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan on the Pakistani side.

The Corridor has been developed to facilitate Indian Sikhs visit the Gurdwara Baba Sahib (Temple) in Narowal city located at the bank of Ravi River, where Baba Guru Nanik, founder of Sikh religion, had spent 18-years of his life.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Indian Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and some Indian dignitaries have also been invited to attend the ceremony.

According to Indian media reports the Bollywood actor turned politician Sunny Doel announced on Friday that he will be part of the inaugural ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor.

Indian Congress lawmaker Navjot Singh Sidhu was also given political clearance to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib by the foreign ministry on Thursday.

A large number of Sikh yatrees (Pilgrims) had already reached Lahore via Wagha Border on Tuesday to attend 550th birth celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev ji and were accorded a warm welcome.

Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (PSGPC) Sardar Stwant Singh and others received the Indian Sikhs.

The Sikh yatrees would attend the inauguration ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9 and attend the 550th birth celebrations of the founder of the Sikh religion Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Nankana Sahib during their 10 day-long sojourn in Pakistan.

Commemorative coins issued by Pakistan to mark 550th Birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak

Pakistan has also issued commemorative coin of PKR50 denomination (about one third of a US Dollar) inscribed with sketch of Gurdwara Baba Sahib and words ‘550^th birth anniversary – Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji -1469-2019’ on one side of it.

Pakistan and India had signed an agreement on operationalization of Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate the Sikh community to visit the final resting place of Baba Guru Nanak in Narowal, ahead of his upcoming 550th birth anniversary celebrations.

The highlights of the agreement signed by Director General South Asia and SAARC Dr. Muhammad Faisal and Joint Secretary India’s Ministry of Home Affairs S C L Das at Zero Point near Pak-India border are as under:

-Travel to be visa-free

-Valid Indian passport required for identity. Passport to be scanned, not stamped

-Overseas Indians allowed on Indian Origin Card

-5,000 pilgrims permitted each day with exception of additional provision on special days.

-Corridor to remain operational 24/7 throughout the year, except on notified days or exigencies

– Opening hours from dawn to dusk; pilgrims to return the same day

-USD 20 service fee to be charged per pilgrim

– Pilgrims allowed traveling as individuals or in groups, and even on foot

-Both countries to constitute Joint Working Group for facilitation of agreement’s implementation

-Agreement to remain valid for five years unless terminated earlier; extension with mutual consent in writing

-Pakistan Rangers and India’s Border Security Force at designated nodal points to deal with emergencies including pilgrims’ medical evacuation. займы онлайн организация