Pakistan has maintained that the Kartarpur Corridor remains open from its side (Photo: PTI).
AMRITSAR: Despite the continued closure of the Attari-Wagah international land border following Operation Sindoor, the Pakistan government has announced a programme for the 557th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, expecting between 2,300 and 2,700 Sikh pilgrims from India for the November 24 event at Nankana Sahib.
The programme was finalised at a meeting of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), chaired by its president and Punjab provincial minister for minority affairs and human rights, Ramesh Singh Arora, to review arrangements for the celebrations, according to Pak media reports.
A Rescue 1122 ambulance will accompany every convoy of 20 buses to meet medical emergencies.
Reacting to Pakistan’s announcement, Sikh scholar Jagdeep Singh said the proposed pilgrimage programme assumes significance amid strained India-Pakistan ties and the continued closure of the Attari-Wagah border after Operation Sindoor. “Keeping the border open would serve the interests of both countries and, above all, make it easier for devotees to visit their historic religious shrines,” said Jagdeep. In a statement, Arora said Pakistani diplomatic missions had been instructed to facilitate visa issuance for Sikh pilgrims. The arrangements reviewed at the meeting include air-conditioned buses, accommodation, langar, medical facilities, mineral water and currency exchange services, according to reports.
He also urged India to allow the Sikh sangat to visit its historic shrines.