It is good to see cultural and religious diversity prevail
ISLAMABAD: We heartily welcome our Sikh brothers and sisters to Pakistan from the Kartarpur Corridor. The Pakistani Prime Minister will open the Kartarpur Corridor ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Baa Guru Nanak on November 12. The first batch of 1,100 Sikhs from India arrived in Pakistan on Thursday for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak. The agreement will allow 5,000 Indian pilgrims daily to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life. The corridor will connect the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Punjab with Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur, just 4 kilometers from the international border, located in Narowal district of Punjab. For the Sikh coming for pilgrimage they will not require a passport and only a valid ID. They do not need to register 10 days in advance either. No fee will be charged from Sikh brothers and sisters on the day of inauguration and Guru Nanak’s 550th birthday. After the day of inauguration Pakistan will charge 20 US dollars per person which seems quite reasonable. The Sikh community of India is happy to visit their holy place and we are happy to host them. It is good to see cultural and religious diversity prevail.
Sabeen Rashid
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2019.
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