Pak to issue multiple, on-arrival visas to Sikh pilgrims: PM Khan

Kartarpur is "Mina" and Nankana Sahib is "Makkah" of Sikh community, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said and assured that his government will issue multiple and on-arrival visas to Sikh pilgrims coming from India and or countries, according to media reports on Tuesday.

Khan said government will provide Sikh pilgrims maximum possible facilities during ir pilgrim to holy sites in Pakistan, News International reported.

dressing International Sikh Convention at Goverr House Lahore on September 2, prime minister said, "I assure that you will be issued multiple visas...This is our responsibility. We will give you visas at airport."

Pakistan has decided to complete process of issuance of visas to Sikh pilgrims by September 30 to facilitate ir participation at 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in Nankana Sahib on vember 12. visa process started on September 1. 

move is t a favour, it was Pakistan's obligation, Saama TV quoted Khan as saying.

"Kartarpur is your Mina and Nankana Sahib is your Makkah. We (Muslims) can't even imagine someone keeping us away from Makkah or Mina. This is a new visa regime so re may some obstacles initially, but we will facilitate you fully," he said.

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convention was attended by Punjab Goverr Chaudhry Sarwar, federal and provincial cabinet members, and Sikh pilgrims from UK, US, Cana, Europe and or countries.

New Delhi and Islamab have agreed that Pakistan would allow 5,000 Sikh visitors per day into country through proposed Kartarpur Corridor.

corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Sikh faith founder Guru Nanak Dev.

Kartarpur will also be first visa-free corridor between two neighbours since ir independence in 1947.

Pakistan is building corridor from Indian border to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, final resting place of Guru Nanak, while or part from Dera Baba Nanak up to border will be constructed by India.

Pakistan has repeatedly said that opening of corridor will t be hit by current tension with India that has escalated after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status. 

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