India and Pakistan signed the historic Kartarpur Corridor agreement, today on Thursday.
According to sources, Foreign office spokesperson, Dr. Muhammad Faisal from Pakistan and Joint Secretary for Home Affairs, S.C.L Das from India took the historic step by signing the pact at Kartarpur Zeo line.
While speaking to media, Dr. Faisal said that the agreement will facilitate devotees who will be visiting Gurdawara Kartarpur from early morning to evening.
The first group of pilgrims will visit the shrine on the 9th of November.
A mechanism has been evolved for the visits of Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, added Dr. Faisal.
Also read: Pakistan lauded by Sikh community on Kartarpur Corridor
The foreign office spokesperson also revealed that a spacious Gurdwara has been built for the pilgrims which is also the biggest in the world. There are reception and roads have also been built to facilitate the devotees.
Dr. Faisal said that despite many challenges, signing this historic pact showcases the determination of Prime Minister Imran Khan to fulfill his promise of respecting people of all faiths and religions.
Promoting interfaith harmony is also one of the government policies, added the spokesperson.
The spokesperson also said that each visiting Sikh pilgrim would have to pay 20 dollars service charges.
Also read: PM to inaugurate Kartarpur Corridor on 9th November
Earlier, India had demanded to eradicate a $20 fee imposed by Pakistan per pilgrim.
On the other hand, Pakistan had submitted a final draft of the bilateral agreement to New Delhi on 11th October.
Also read: Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan for Kartarpur Corridor’s inauguration
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan also agreed on the demand made by India to allow Zoroastrians, Christians etc along with Hindu devotees to visit the shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Devji.
The Kartarpur Corridor will be inaugurated on 9th November by Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji falling on Nov 12.
Also read: Sikh leaders applaud Pakistan’s initiative on Kartarpur Corridor
Pakistan has also invited former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh to the inaugural ceremony.
At least 5,000 pilgrims will be visiting the shrine every day. India will share the list of pilgrims 10 days before the trip and Pakistan will permit the visit four days before the travel of devotees after conducting verification and other legal formalities.
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