Daily Times

Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood on Wednesday briefed the diplomatic corps regarding Pakistan’s initiative of opening the Kartarpur Corridor. The heads of mission and representatives of Islamabad-based diplomatic missions attended in large number, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Office.

While highlighting the historic initiative by Prime Minister Imran Khan to open the Kartarpur Corridor on the auspicious occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the foreign secretary underscored that Pakistan has taken the step to meet the long-standing request of the Sikh community across the world, particularly from India. “Opening of the corridor is in line with the Islamic principles, Pakistan’s policy of promoting inter-faith harmony, and Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of a peaceful neighbourhood,” he maintained.

The foreign secretary underscored that Pakistan will permit 5,000 Indian pilgrims of all faiths without visa per day, seven days a week and throughout the year, with the provision for additional numbers on special occasions subject to capacity. He said as part of series of activities to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the government of Pakistan is issuing a special coin and a commemorative stamp. Moreover, the prime minister has laid the foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University at Nankana Sahib, he added.

The foreign secretary stated that besides Kartarpur Corridor, pilgrims from India will be coming through Wagah border as well. Similarly, thousands of pilgrims from across the world, especially from countries with large Sikh community, are coming to Pakistan. He underlined that the first phase of the construction of the corridor project and renovation of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, which has now become the world’s largest Sikh Gurdwara, has been completed in record time.

While appreciating the interest of the diplomatic corps to attend the inauguration ceremony on November 9, the foreign secretary said adequate arrangements have been made for their facilitation. The members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad had also attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor last year.

Appreciating Pakistan’s historic initiative to open the corridor and completion of the huge project in record time, the diplomats congratulated Pakistan and thanked for the arrangements being made for their facilitation.