ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and India have signed the historic agreement tooperationalize Kartarpur corridor.
The agreement was signed at Kartarpur Zero line on Thursday.
Director General South Asia and SAARC at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr.Muhammad Faisal signed the agreement on behalf of Pakistan while the Indianside was represented by its Joint Secretary for Home Affairs S. C. L. Das.
Later talking to the media persons, DG South Asia and SAARC Dr MuhammadFaisal said the agreement will facilitate pilgrims to visit GurdawaraKartarpur seven days a week from dawn to dusk.
He said the yatrees will come in the morning and return back in theevening. He said the Yatrees will be able to enter the Pakistani territoryafter a procedure of two or three minutes.
Dr Muhammad Faisal said under the agreement, India will provide a list ofYatrees ten days before their visits so that they could be properlyreceived.
He said the first group of Yatrees will come on the ninth of next month.
He said as per our commitment, this will be a visa free travel for theyatrees. Only nominal service charges of twenty dollars per Yatree will becharged.
He said we have agreed to accommodate five thousand Yatrees on daily basisand if there is more capacity we will accommodate them. He said roads and areception center have been built in the area. He said a huge Gurdwara hasbeen built which is being described as the biggest in the world.
Read Top Stories
Dr Muhammad Faisal said the signing of the agreement, despite manychallenges indicates the resolve of the Prime Minister to fulfill hiscommitment in line with the Islamic principles for respect of all religionsand government’s policy to promote interfaith harmony.
Dr Muhammad Faisal said Prime Minister Imran Khan will perform theinauguration of the corridor on the 9th of next month and in this regard abig ceremony will also be arranged.
The Director General South Asia and SAARC said it was difficult and toughnegotiations with India given the history tense relations with thecountry.
Responding to a question, the Director General South Asia and SAARC saidthat Sikh pilgrims from other countries including Canada and European willalso be facilitated to visit their sacred places in Pakistan.
He said elaborate security arrangements have also been put in place for theYatrees.
When asked about Kashmir dispute, Dr Muhammad Faisal said there is nochange whatsoever in Pakistan’s position on the festering dispute.
