India Pakistan sign Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement
On October 24, 2019, India signed the Agreement with Pakistan for the operationalization of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor at Zero Point, International Boundary. The representatives from Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs and the representatives from Punjab Government were present during the ceremony.
About Kartarpur Sahib Corridor
To celebrate the occasion of 550th Birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak the Indian Government passed a resolution in November 2018 for the construction of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. The 4.2 km corridor connects the Dera Baba Nanak in the Indian side with the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan
Highlights of the agreement
- Every Indian pilgrim of all faiths and persons of Indian origin can use the corridor
- The travel is Visa free and the pilgrims have to carry a valid passport alone
- The persons of Indian origin are required to carry the OCI card
- The corridor will remain open from dawn to dusk. However, pilgrims have to return on the same day
The main issue that still prevails is that Pakistan is to levy 20 USD as service charge per pilgrim per visit. India had consistently urged Pakistan not to levy charges. India still went ahead and signed the agreement.
The prakashpur550.mha.gov.in has gone live on October 24, 2019 for the pilgrims to register. The pilgrims are to be provided with Electronic Travel Authorization on registration that they need to carry when they arrive at the Passenger Terminal Building.
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Month: Current Affairs - October, 2019