FM welcomes Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan to mark Guru Nanak’s birth celebrations

On Nov 17, 2021

TOPSHOT - Sikh pilgrims stand in a queue to visit the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, near the Indian border, on November 9, 2019. - Hundreds of Indian Sikhs prepared to make a historic pilgrimage to Pakistan on November 9 crossing to one of their religion's holiest sites under a landmark deal between the two countries separated by the 1947 partition of the subcontinent. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday extended a warm welcome to the Sikh pilgrims arriving in Pakistan on the 552nd birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

“Pakistan looks forward to welcoming Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the Kartarpur corridor from November 17,” FM Qureshi said in a statement issued here.

Pakistan had reopened the Kartarpur Corridor on June 29, 2020 after the temporary suspension of about three months due to a pandemic. However, India kept the Corridor closed from its side for nearly 20 months, and has only now allowed it to be re-opened.

“Sikh community from India and around the world had been urging the opening of the Corridor,” he mentioned.

He said Pakistan had also proposed formally to India to reopen the corridor in respect of the wishes and sentiments of the pilgrims.

Pakistan will also be hosting thousands of Sikh pilgrims from India and around the world for the 552nd birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak from 17-26 November 2021.

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