Pakistan gives Indian media access for upcoming Kartarpur meet

FO spokesperson tweeted that Indian media personnel can apply for visas at Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi

The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday said Indian media would be welcomed and given access to cover the upcoming meeting on the  Kartarpur Corridor on April 2 at the Wagah border.

The announcement is in stark contrast to actions taken by New Delhi as it had earlier blocked access to Pakistani journalists and did not allow them to cover the earlier Kartarpur meet in India.

FO Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted that Indian media personnel can apply for visas at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

#Pakistan welcomes Indian media for the #KartarpurCorridor meeting at Wagah on 2 April 2019. They may apply to Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi for visas #PakKartarpurSpirit

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 29, 2019

Earlier this month, the two countries met at Attari in India to discuss the modalities and draft agreement for facilitation of Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor.

This was the first formal interaction between the two neighbours following their recent military standoff.



Pakistan media, however, were not issued visas for the Attari meeting, a decision that was termed 'regrettable' by the FO.

Regrettable that #India has not given visas to #Pakistani journalists for the #kartarpur meeting tomorrow. Hope the #PakKartarpurSpirit & meeting tomorrow will bring a change for the better for people of both countries (2/2)

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) March 13, 2019

Kartarpur is a small town in Narowal, 4 km from the Pakistan-India border, where the founder of the Sikh religion, Baba Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life.

Subsequently, Gurdwara Darbar Sahab was built at the site on the Pakistan side and Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak in India, which are visited by thousands of Sikhs every year.