Indian govt decides to reopen Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims

Around 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India are set to reach Pakistan tomorrow

LAHORE:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Indian government on Tuesday decided to meet the demands of thousands of Sikh pilgrims in the neighboring country, and agreed to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor. The passage had been closed for the past 18 months. 

Pakistan and India had closed the corridor in March 2020 to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

The Indian authorities took the decision to reopen the 'peace corridor' amid the 552nd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak - Sikhism's central figure - that falls on November 19 this year. A formal notification in this regard is also likely to be issued later today, a central leader of the Shiromani Committee of India told the Express Tribune.

Pakistan authorities had already announced their decision to reopen the corridor earlier this month. The country is likely to allow around 8,000 Sikh pilgrims from around the world to participate in the birthday celebration.

However, the Sikh community in India was awaiting New Delhi's decision. Two days ago, the head of the Shiromani Committee, Bibi Jagir Kaur, had also written a letter to PM Modi in this regard.

Following Pakistan's and the community's demand to reopen the corridor, India will open registrations for the pilgrims tomorrow (Nov 17) and the first set of around 250 Sikh pilgrims are said to arrive through the passage on November 19. 

Meanwhile, around 3,000 Sikh pilgrims from India are set to arrive in Pakistan via the Wagah border on November 17.

Under the leadership of Sardar Surbir Singh, a group of 10 Afghan Sikh pilgrims from Afghanistan have already reached Pakistan via the Torkham border. Among them are six women. Another group of 24 Afghan Sikh pilgrims is also expected to visit Pakistan soon.