City
Epaper

Punjab CM hails Pakistan's decisions on Kartarpur travel

By IANS | Updated: July 14, 2019 21:10 IST

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here on Sunday appreciated Pakistan's decision to scrap the separate permit system required for pilgrims to travel through the Kartarpur Sahib corridor and allow OCI and PIO card holders.

Open in App

The Chief Minister also requested waiver of passport to facilitate travel of devotees from the rural areas.

In a statement, Singh hoped that the Indian government would press Pakistan to accept other demands, being raised by him over the past several months.

These demands include raising of the limit imposed by Islamabad on the number of pilgrims a day to enable 'khulle darshan' to mark the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev.

This was vital to ensure smooth flow of pilgrims on important days during the celebrations in November, he said.

Pakistan has agreed to allow 5,000 devotees a day against its original proposal of 500.

Singh said the number needed to be raised further, at least on special occasions, in view of the huge demand for permissions expected to come from Sikhs and other devotees from across the world.

He also thanked the Indian government for persuading Islamabad to accede to his request for passage of pilgrims on all seven days of the week.

The historic corridor would not serve its full potential unless Pakistan agreed to be more flexible on issues raised by him to enable pilgrims visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, he said.

Pakistan, which has also conceded India's demand to build a bridge over Ravi river, has taken some steps forward today.

The Chief Minister reiterated his demand for a special package from the Indian government to make the celebrations truly historic and befitting.

The Kartarpur Sahib corridor, a gateway for pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, links India's Dera Baba Nanak shrine in the Gurdaspur district with Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province where Guru Nanak Dev spent his final days.

The place is highly revered by the Sikh community.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: pakistanKartarpur SahibindiaGuru Nanak Dev
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalBSF Destroys Terror Launch Pads in Sialkot in Pakistan, Videos Emerge

NationalPakistani Drone Shot Down Near Amritsar Border, Debris Recovered by Security Forces

NationalIndia Fires Ballistic Missiles at 4 Airbases in Pakistan After Drone Attacks

InternationalPakistan Launches 'Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos' After Accusing India of Targeting Military Bases

NationalPakistan Drone Attack in Punjab: Family Injured After Drone Hits Residential Area in Firozpur

National Realted Stories

NationalKutch district issues advisory amid rising tensions with Pakistan, residents urged to stay indoors

NationalAssam CM slams Congress for ‘reckless propaganda’ on IMF loan to Pakistan

NationalSC to hear plea against blocking 4PM YouTube channel on Tuesday

NationalModi govt drops the hammer: Terror will now invite total retaliation

NationalRajasthan: Crackers, drones banned in Jaipur, schools closed in Nagaur, Hanumangarh