Pakistan government on Wednesday decided to begin the process of issuance of visas on September 1 and end by September 30 to Sikh pilgrims from around the world to attend the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak.
The decision to begin the process was taken during a meeting of the Religious Tourism and Heritage Committee (RTHC) chaired by Punjab province’s Governor Chaudhry Sarwar in Lahore.
After the meeting, the governor told reporters that the visa process for the Sikh pilgrims would start on September 1 and completed by the end of the month.
The governor said the work on setting up a “tent city” in the birthplace of Guru Nanak, would begin next week.
“The funds had been provided for completion of the road from Sucha Sauda to Nankana Sahib and work on the project would begin shortly,” he noted.
The governor also said that a number of Sikh pilgrims would arrive from the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries to take part in the convention.
“Pakistan will complete the corridor project by November regardless of India’s willingness to work on it or not,” Sarwar said. He further stressed that Pakistan would not compromise on the rights of minorities residing in Pakistan, adding, “Pakistan is a safe country for the minorities.”
A special shuttle service will also be launched for the ease of Pilgrims from the railway station to the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak.
The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan early this week said that the opening of Kartarpur corridor will remain on track irrespective of Pakistan’s ties with India over the Kashmir crisis.
Awan further assured that for the Sikh pilgrims visiting Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan in connection with the approaching 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, Kartarpur doors will remain open.
“The historic corridor will be inaugurated in November this year,” she was quoted as saying.
