Pakistan eases policy for Sikh pilgrims ahead of Kartarpur visit

Kartarpur: Pakistan has eased its policy for Sikh pilgrims coming to Pakistan to attend birth anniversary celebration of Baba Guru Nanak till November 30.

According to details, the decision has been taken by Pakistan as a sign of respect for the religious sentiments of the Sikh pilgrims.

Officials said that the decision has been taken keeping in view the last-minute opening of the Kartarpur Corridor from the Indian side.

The law of the land about Sikh pilgrims coming to visit their religious sites made it mandatory to apply 10 days ahead of their visit to Kartarpur Gurdwara in the Narowal district. With the implementation of new rule, Sikhs now won’t have to inform 10 days before their visit to Pakistan.

Pakistani authorities said that they hope India will follow the same old policy from December 1.

It is pertinent to remember that the celebrations of the 552nd birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak have started in Nankana Sahib. Thousands of Sikh pilgrims from India and other countries are participating in the celebrations.

The Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free crossing allowing Indian Sikhs to visit the temple in Pakistan where Guru Nanak died in 1539, first opened in 2019 for Nanak's 550th birth anniversary but was closed last year because of the pandemic.