Pakistan ready to reopen Kartapur Corridor on Monday

Commemorating Maharaja Ranjeet Singh on his death anniversary, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said the government will reopen the Kartarpur Corridor for pilgrims on June 29.

“As places of worship open up across the world, Pakistan prepares to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for all Sikh pilgrims, conveying to the Indian side our readiness to reopen the corridor on 29 June 2020, the occasion of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh,” said Qureshi in a tweet.

The temple was closed on March 16 earlier this year as part of the safety measures following the outbreak of Covid-19. 

A statement issued by the foriegn ministry said, “As the religious places are gradually opening up around the world, Pakistan has also made necessary arrangements to reopen Kartarpur Sahib corridor for Sikh pilgrims.”

The Indian side has been informed and we have requested them to chalk out the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure a safe environment for the Sikh pilgrims, the statement added.

Kartarpur corridor was opened by the Pakistan government last year to facilitate Sikh pilgrims as the shrine is one of the holiest places for people following the Sikh religion. 

The corridor is a visa-free link between the shrines of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on Pakistani side of the border and Dera Baba Nanak on the Indian side. 

“The Kartarpur corridor is a true symbol of peace and religious harmony. This landmark initiative by the government of Pakistan has been immensely appreciated by the Sikh community all over the world including India,” the statement issued by Pakistan’s foreign ministry said. 

The Kartarpur shrines are one of most revered places in the Sikh religion as Guru Nanak Sahib, the first guru of Sikhism, had spent the last 18 years of his life in Kartarpur. 

The place of worship was inaccessible to hindus after the partition of India into two countries. The Sikhs, around the world, had demanded access to the religious site.