Sikh yatrees from across world reach Kartarpur for 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak

KARTARPUR (92 News) – Sikh yatrees form across the world have reached Kartarpur for the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Pakistan authorities have made all arrangements for the inaugural ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor. The corridor terminal, guesthouse and ‘langarkhana’ are ready for the guests. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that they would provide all facilities to the yatrees. Briefing Heads of Mission and representatives from Islamabad-based diplomatic missions on Thursday, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood said that the historic initiative by Prime Minister Imran Khan will be opened on the auspicious occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. He underscored that Pakistan has taken this step to meet the long-standing request of Nanak NaamLevas and especially the Sikh community across the world, particularly from India. “Opening of the corridor is in line with the Islamic principles, Pakistan's policy of promoting inter-faith harmony, and Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of a peaceful neighbourhood.” He said that Pakistan will permit 5,000 Indian pilgrims of all faiths without visa, per day, seven days a week, throughout the year, with the provision for additional numbers on special occasions, subject to capacity. He added that, as a part of series of activities to celebrate the 550thbirth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the government is issuing a special coin and a commemorative stamp. Moreover, the prime minister has laid the foundation stone of Baba Guru Nanak University at Nankana Sahib. The secretary stated that besides the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, pilgrims from India would be coming through Wagah border as well. “Similarly, thousands of pilgrims from across the world, especially from countries with large Sikh community, are coming to Pakistan,” he added. Sohail Mahmood underlined that the first phase of the construction of Kartarpur corridor project and renovation of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, which has now become the world’s largest Sikh Gurdwara, has been completed in record time. Appreciating the interest of the diplomatic corps to attend the inauguration ceremony on November 9, the foreign secretary informed about the arrangements made for their facilitation. The members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad had also attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor on November 28, 2018. The diplomats appreciated Pakistan’s historic initiative to open the Kartarpur corridor and completion of the huge project in record time, congratulating Pakistan and thanked for the arrangements being made for their facilitation.