India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the validity of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor agreement for another five years. The officials’ decision ensures the continued operation of the corridor, allowing Indian pilgrims to visit the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.
The first agreement, signed on October 24, 2019, facilitates visa-free access for Indian pilgrims to the historic gurdwara. The tunnel has been in operation for five years and has become an important link for thousands of devotees who wish to pay their respects at one of the Sikh holiest sites.
The expansion, confirmed by diplomatic channels, will ensure that the tunnel remains open and operational, allowing for uninterrupted travel. The Kartarpur Corridor, revered as a symbol of religious harmony, allows Sikhs from India to visit the gurdwara, where Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last years of his life.
INDIA URGES PAKISTAN TO REMOVE SERVICE PAYMENT
In addition to extending the corridor agreement, India has renewed its request for Pakistan to waive the USD 20 service charge on pilgrims. For years, pilgrims and Sikh organizations have called for the fee to be removed, insisting that spiritual journeys should not come with financial burdens.
Despite repeated appeals from the Indian government, Pakistan has continued to charge tourists. In a recent communication, India also urged Pakistan to consider the sentiments of the pilgrims and remove the charge to ensure a seamless and accessible experience for all devotees.
The extension of the agreement marks another chapter in the ongoing success of the Kartarpur Corridor, with the hope that other improvements, such as the removal of the service charge, will improve the pilgrimage experience in the years to come.
The Kartarpur Corridor remains a beacon of religious communication across the border, promoting peace and promoting peace between the two nations.
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