Pakistan and India Extend Kartarpur Corridor Agreement

Pakistan and India have extended the Kartarpur Corridor agreement for another five years. Originally signed on October 24, 2019, the agreement was renewed through negotiations conducted via diplomatic channels between the two countries.

A spokesperson for the Kartarpur Corridor highlighted that the agreement continues to provide visa-free access for Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. This extension reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to facilitating religious freedoms and supporting the Sikh community’s longstanding desire to visit one of their holiest sites.

“This initiative reflects Pakistan’s dedication to safeguarding the rights of religious minorities,” the spokesperson said, adding that the move has garnered widespread appreciation, including commendation from the United Nations Secretary-General and the global community.

The Kartarpur Corridor, a four-kilometer stretch, links the village of Kartarpur in Pakistan’s Narowal district to Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur district. It allows Sikh pilgrims to travel directly to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib without a visa, enabling them to pay their respects at the final resting place of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

The agreement, seen as a rare symbol of cooperation between Pakistan and India, remains a testament to both nations’ efforts to promote peace, understanding, and religious harmony.