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Within hours of the offer from Pakistan foreign office, sources here pointed out that the Indian side will decide on the re-opening of Kartarpur Corridor after consulting health authorities and other stakeholders. Cross-border travel continues to be temporarily suspended as part of measures to prevent and contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Corridor was temporarily closed on March 16 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
India accused Pakistan of not following the procedure laid down for the reopening of the corridor as Islamabad has aired the proposal at a short notice of two days. And according to the bilateral agreement on the corridor states, India has to share information about pilgrims with the Pakistani side at least seven days before the date of travel. This would need India to open up the registration process well in advance, the sources pointed out.
Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had earlier tweeted on Saturday that Islamabad has conveyed to New Delhi about its readiness to reopen the corridor on June 29, the death anniversary of Sikh leader Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji. Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji, the founder of the 19th century Sikh empire had passed away on June 27, 1839, in Lahore.
The Pakistan Foreign Office said as places of worship across the world are gradually opening up, Islamabad also began making the necessary arrangements to re-open Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.
India also expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of infrastructure in the Pakistani side of the border which is necessary for ensuring comfortable journey of the pilgrims. Pakistan has not built the bridge on their side across the flood plains of the Ravi river despite having committed to this in the bilateral agreement. With the advent of monsoon, it would need to be evaluated whether safe pilgrim movement is possible through the Corridor.
Pakistan has invited India to work out necessary standard operating procedures (SOPs) for reopening the Corridor.
Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor in the presence of Indian dignitaries on November 9 last year to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. The corridor allows Indian pilgrims visa-free access to Durbar Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan’s Narowal district, where Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak Dev ji spent the last 18 years of his life.
