LAHORE (DNA) – Pakistan and India signed the agreement on Kartarpur Corridor – the first visa-free corridor between the two neighbours since their independence in 1947 – on Thursday at Kartarpur Zero Line to permit the intending Sikh pilgrims visit Baba Guru Nanak’s shrine on his 550th Birth Anniversary in early November.

“As of now, Pakistan and India would sign the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor tomorrow,” Foreign Office spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said at the weekly media briefing on Wednesday. “We will share clause by clause details after signing of the agreement,” the spokesman said.

Earlier today, in a series of tweets, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Kartarpur Corridor agreement would open a bright chapter of promotion of human respect and fraternity.

She stated the agreement was a practical evidence of Pakistan being flag bearer of interfaith harmony and peace.
“Kartarpur Sahib is a holy place for the Sikh community and we warmly welcome our Sikh brethren.”

She said Prime Minister Imran Khan has fulfilled another promise. She said the project, whose groundbreaking was performed on November 28 last year, has been completed in less than a year.

The last disagreement between the rival states was the $20 service fee that Pakistan wanted to charge from every pilgrim as a service fee for a single trip. India, initially denied it; however, later agreed to it reluctantly.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has been currently working out a mechanism for charging the $20 fee from the pilgrims.

The spokesperson said a mechanism has been evolved for the visits of pilgrims to Gurdawara Darbar Sahib. He said the pilgrims would be permitted to visit the Gurdawara Kartarpur Sahib from morning till evening. He said full details of the Kartarpur agreement would be shared after its signing.

Responding to a question about Pak-India agreement, FO spokesperson stated that they were fully ready to make functional the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on their side. “We will also share clause by clause details after signing of the Agreement with you”, he added.

Replying to a question about participation from India, Dr Faisal said, “We are working on the invitations for the inauguration of Kartarpur sahib Corridor”.

Reportedly, construction process and painting of the shrine has been completed and electricity has been supplied to the site from Shakar Garh’s grid station.

Imported marble has been used on the floor of the shrine that is spread on 10 acres. Fire extinguishers, sound systems and CCTV security cameras have been installed at the site.

Besides, construction of temporary guesthouses and a border terminal building has also been completed.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the project on November 9, three days before the 550th birth anniversary Baba Guru Nanank that will be celebrated on November 12.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a message shared on social media on Sunday, reiterated that the work on the Kartarpur Corridor has entered last stage.

He further mentioned that Sikhs from all countries will travel to the world s largest Gurdwara. “This Gurdwara will strengthen local economy […] many jobs will also be created in travelling, religious tourism and hospitality sectors,” he stated. “Buddhists have also been coming to visit different religious spots in Pakistan.”

Pakistan had also accepted India’s demand of facilitating visa-free movement of 5,000 Sikh pilgrims per day, and now they will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur.

In November last year, Khan laid the foundation stone for the corridor, months after he assumed office after winning majority of seats in the parliament. India’s cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu and other officials had attended the ceremony.

Earlier, Pakistan formally invited former prime minister of India Manmohan Singh to attend the opening ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor on the occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.

Speaking on the invitation to former PM Manmohan Singh, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Saturday said he (Manmohan Singh) will visit Pakistan as a ‘yatri’ (ordinary citizen) and not as chief guest for the corridor’s opening.

“He is welcome even as a common participant,” the Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said while talking to the media on Saturday.

Mr Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan would inaugurate Pakistan’s part of the corridor, facilitating pilgrimage of 5,000 Indian Sikhs everyday to their holy place. India was initially reluctant to open the corridor but due to public pressure from the Indian Punjab, New Delhi decided to arrange a ceremony related to the corridor the same day, he said, adding that the arrangements made by Pakistan were way better than those being finalised by India.

Pakistan is building the corridor from the Indian border to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, while the other part from Dera Baba Nanak up to the border is being constructed by India.

India is constructing a bridge at the zero point and has urged Pakistan to build a similar bridge on its side that will provide safe and secure movement of pilgrims.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.

Reacting to India’s move on Kashmir, Pakistan has taken a number of actions, including downgrading of diplomatic ties, suspension of trade and rail traffic, and expulsion of the Indian High Commissioner.