Kartarpur Agreement
Pakistan has officially renewed its agreement with India to facilitate the pilgrimage of Sikh devotees to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, located in Narowal, for an additional five-year period, as announced by the Foreign Office on Tuesday.
This agreement, originally signed on October 24, 2019, is set to expire on the same date in 2024. The renewal emphasizes Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to promoting interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence between communities.
The agreement continues to provide visa-free access to Indian pilgrims, allowing them to visit the sacred site of Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur.
This site holds immense significance for Sikhs, as it is where Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, spent his final days.
Since the corridor was first established, it has facilitated the pilgrimage of thousands of worshippers, fulfilling a long-held aspiration of the Sikh community to access one of their most cherished religious landmarks.
The Kartarpur Corridor is viewed as a testament to Pakistan’s recognition of the rights of religious minorities, reflecting the country’s commitment to safeguarding their interests.
The initiative has garnered widespread acclaim from the international community, including a notable endorsement from the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, who referred to it as a “Corridor of Hope.”
This acknowledgment underscores the significance of the corridor not just for Sikhs but also as a symbol of peace and goodwill between the two neighboring nations.
The corridor itself is a visa-free passage, situated just 4 kilometers (approximately 2.5 miles) inside Pakistan, allowing Indian Sikhs to visit the historical temple where Guru Nanak passed away in 1539.
Initially opened in 2019 to commemorate Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary, the corridor faced closures in the subsequent year due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
The corridor serves as a vital link connecting the Punjabi regions of both countries, which were divided during the partition of India in 1947.
Although Sikhs represent a small minority in predominantly Muslim Pakistan, many important Sikh religious sites remain within its borders, highlighting the rich cultural and religious tapestry of the region.
The renewal of the Kartarpur agreement not only enhances access to these sacred sites but also reinforces the importance of interfaith dialogue and mutual respect in a diverse society.
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