India and Pakistan sign historic agreement on Kartarpur Corridor

India and Pakistan on Thursday signed a landmark agreement to operationalise historic Kartarpur Corridor to allow Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit holy Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. Indian delegation was represented by officials of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Defence (MOD), Ministry of External Affairs of India (MEA) and Punjab Government. corridor will be opened by Pakistan on vember 9. Both countries have also decided that corridor will be operational throughout year and seven days a week and that pilgrims will have a choice to visit it as individuals or in groups.

During Indian Delegation briefing, MHA Joint Secretary SCL Das said, "Katratpur Corridor will be open from dawn to dusk. Pilgrims travelling in morning will have to return on same day. Corridor will be operational throughout year, except on tified days, to be informed in vance."

"Indian pilgrims of all faith and persons of Indian origin can use Kartarpur Corridor. travel will be visa-free. Pilgrims need to carry only a valid passport. All-wear connectivity is our commitment. All required infrastructure timely on our side. Security in place. Pakistan hasn't built a bridge yet, but we me a temporary service lane for commuters," he ded.

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Lastly, MHA said, "India will send a list of pilgrims to Pakistan 10 days ahe of date of travel. Confirmation of Pilgrim will be sent 4 days ahe on SMS. online portal for registration of pilgrim has gone live today. Pilgrims can register mselves using portal from vember 10."

Earlier, MEA h stated in a press release that it h agreed to sign Kartarpur Corridor with Pakistan despite neighbour's 'insistence' on $20 fee per pilgrim, keeping in mind interest of Sikh devotees. Centre has called Pakistan's decision to levy fee a 'disappointment'. It also highlighted need for operationalising Corridor before 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak on vember 12, 2019.

Last month, India and Pakistan agreed on visa-free travel of Indian pilgrims to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib using Kartarpur corridor. Pilgrims will only have to carry ir passports to visit revered gurdwara in Pakistan. Persons of Indian origin holding OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card too can visit Gurdwara using Kartarpur corridor.

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PM Modi to inaugurate Kartarpur Corridor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate much-awaited Kartarpur Corridor to Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan on vember 8, Union Minister Harsimrat Bal confirmed. Prime Minister will also inaugurate integrated check post on Indian side, she said. Taking to Twitter, Union Minister anunced that PM Modi will be creating history by inaugurating Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. 

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About Kartarpur Sahib

Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across Ravi River, about four kilometers from Dera Baba Nanak shrine. In a major initiative last vember, both India and Pakistan h agreed to set up Kartarpur Corridor. corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit holy Gurudwara. Kartarpur Sahib was established in 1522 by Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev.

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