Modalities of the visa-free corridor will be finalised in the meeting at Wagah border on July 14. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: The Pakistan-Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee head Sardar Tara Singh has said Kartarpur corridor will open on November 2 and the first group of pilgrims from India will come to Pakistan via the corridor on November 9.
“We request the government of Pakistan to permit Sikh pilgrims to come from Kartarpur to Nankana Sahib without visa restriction,” Sardar Tara Singh said on Saturday.
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He said the Kartarpur corridor will open before the birth anniversary of the Sikh religion’s founder Baba Guru Nanak Devji in November and the ceremonies pertaining to the birth anniversary will be held from November 10-12.
“It is our request that the Kartarpur corridor be opened on November 8 or 9 so that Sikh pilgrims can reach Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. It is requested that the same pilgrims be allowed also to visit Nankana Sahib without visa,” he said.
About the preparations for the birth anniversary, Singh said every year, 25 to 30 thousands Sikh devotees come to Nankana Sahib from within country and abroad.
“However this year, stay and meal arrangements are going to be made for almost one hundred thousand Sikh pilgrims. Instead of 3,000, some 10,000 visas will be issued to Sikh devotees from all over the world. This is over and above the pilgrims coming from Kartarpur corridor.”
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He said the Sikh community which is living in the country will also participate in the events.
Singh said for the preparations and arrangements of birth anniversary, India’s Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is also being consulted. “It is our desire to work together to make the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji memorable,” he said.
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