India and Pakistan have signed the agreement to operationalise the historic Kartarpur Sahib Corridor;
this agreement lays down a formal framework for operationalisation of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor; Online portal goes LIVE for registration of pilgrims.
The agreement will allow Indian pilgrims to visit the holy Darbar Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan.
The Kartarpur corridor connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Indian Punjab with Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur.
The Darbar Sahib Gurudwara is located approximately 4 kms from the Indian border, at Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province.
The ceremony for signing the agreement took place at the Kartarpur Zero Point at the international border in Narowal, hence removing a key legal hurdle for the opening of the corridor. The Gurdwara Darbar Sahib has special significance for Sikhs as it was here that the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev spent last 18 years of his life.
The agreement allows Indian pilgrims of all faiths and persons of Indian to use the corridor visa Free. Though the pilgrims need to carry only a valid passport. Persons of Indian Origin(PIO) need to carry OCI(Overseas Citizen of India) card along with the passport of their country. Pilgrims traveling in the morning need to return the same day. The Corridor will be functional throughout the year, except on certain notified days which will be informed in advance.
Pilgrims could visit as individuals or in groups, and also to travel on foot. India will send the pilgrim-list to Pakistan 10 days ahead of travel date. Confirmation will be sent to pilgrims 4 days before the travel date. The Pakistan side has also assured India of sufficient provisions for ‘Langar’ and distribution of ‘Prasad’.
Ministry of Home has started a portal for registration of pilgrims who wish to travel to Kartarpur. Infrastructure related to the corridor is nearing completion from Indian side.
