ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has completed arrangements at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur ahead of the 557th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, reaffirming its commitment to facilitating Sikh pilgrims and promoting religious harmony.
The government announced the decision on September 17, while officials said all facilities at the historic shrine in Narowal district were ready for the religious celebrations. The shrine is where Guru Nanak spent the final years of his life. The Kartarpur Corridor connects it with Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur district.
India has suspended the movement of Sikh Yatrees to Pakistan through the corridor since May 2025, citing the Pahalgam false-flag incident as a pretext, a Foreign Office source said. The suspension remains in place despite repeated appeals from the Sikh community for the restoration of access to the shrine.
On October 27, the Punjab Assembly in India unanimously passed a resolution urging the central government in New Delhi to reopen the corridor and ensure uninterrupted access for Sikh devotees.
The resolution, moved by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and supported by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, described the corridor as a symbol of Sikh faith and shared religious heritage. It also called for simpler travel procedures and diplomatic engagement with Pakistan to ensure safe passage for pilgrims.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan was ready to accommodate up to 5,000 Sikh pilgrims daily at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib with immediate effect, provided India lifted its restrictions on movement through the corridor.
He said Islamabad supported the Punjab Assembly’s demand for reopening the passage and remained committed to facilitating Sikh pilgrims visiting religious sites in Pakistan under existing arrangements.
Indian Sikh pilgrims have also welcomed Pakistan’s announcement, saying it reflects the spirit of religious harmony and goodwill. They have called for the restoration of access from the Indian side to allow devotees to visit the historic shrine.
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The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated in November 2019 to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. It provides visa-free, same-day access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib for Indian pilgrims carrying valid passports.
Pakistan and India extended the agreement governing the corridor in 2024. However, despite Pakistan’s readiness to receive pilgrims, cross-border travel through the route remains suspended pending India’s decision to restore access.
