Ministry of External Affairs responds to Pakistan’s proposal on reopening of Kartarpur Corridor

Pakistan government has announced that the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on its side has been opened again as the COVID-19 situation in the country has improved.

Islamabad: Ministry of External Affairs responds to Pakistan’s proposal. Pakistan government has announced that the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on its side has been opened again as the COVID-19 situation in the country has improved. Pakistan government said that “As per the notification issued by the Pakistan Ministry of religious affairs on Friday, Indian visitors are allowed to come daily from dawn to dusk as per the bilateral agreement made in 2019 between India and Pakistan.”

Ministry of External Affairs has responded to this saying: we remain in touch with all concerned authorities including Ministry of Home Affairs & Family Welfare. A decision on the re-opening of the Kartarpur corridor would be taken following COVID-19 protocols and easing of restrictions.

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“At the time of opening of the Kartarpur Corridor last year and in the bilateral agreement signed in October 2019, it was decided that both sides shall establish requisite infrastructure including construction of a bridge at Budhi Ravi Channel,” MEA added.

Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, a 4.7-kilometer-long passage that connects Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in India’s Gurdaspur and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur. It was inaugurated last year.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kartarpur Corridor was shut down by the Indian government in March. Pakistan’s government had also imposed a ban on Pakistani nationals from traveling via the Kartarpur corridor.

It was re-opened briefly in June to commemorate Maharaja Ranjit Singh`s death anniversary, with India rejecting Pakistan`s offer and refusing to open the corridor on its side.