Kartarpur Corridor struggles to produce fruitful outcomes.
LAHORE:
It has been three years since Indian and Pakistani government officials gathered at the International Border’s zero point to sign an agreement to open the Kartarpur Corridor, a yatra road spanning 2.5 miles and intended to mend long-standing rifts between the two neighbors.
The Sikh community rejoiced at the simplification of visa requirements to visit the kartarpur, a “gateway to the guru,” as it had long wished to do so in order to pay their respects at the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev.
However, despite these efforts, it seems that the corridor is still plagued by unresolved issues and mutual mistrust, making it unlikely that it will provide the anticipated fruit in 2019. The current PML-N-led administration has shown little to no interest in revitalizing the long-term initiative, which has only made things worse.
The treaty between Pakistan and India stipulated that every day, five thousand Sikhs from across the border would cross into Pakistan to worship at a Gurdwara in India. But the number of passengers using the passageway has been dismal during the past three years.
Only 1,10,670 Indian nationals as of July this year had used the corridor to visit the shrine.
Sikh community members have blamed India’s passport requirements and the cumbersome registration process, while Pakistan’s $20 entry fee is also a big factor in the decline in the number of Indian pilgrims.
The treaty between Pakistan and India stipulated that every day, five thousand Sikhs from across the border would cross into Pakistan to worship at a Gurdwara Kartarpur. But the number of passengers using the passageway has been dismal during the past three years.
Only 1,10,670 Indian nationals as of July this year had used the Kartarpur corridor to visit the shrine.
Sikh community members have blamed India’s passport requirements and the cumbersome registration process, while Pakistan’s $20 entry fee is also a big factor in the decline in the number of Indian pilgrims.
On this side of the border, many criticize the present government’s lack of interest in the project, citing a change in mentality since the fall of Imran Khan’s government.
Even though many members of his own party are from the area, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declined to visit the site so far because the initiative was started by his political competitor, Imran Khan, according to insiders.
As a result, there will be an unreasonably long delay in completing phase II of the project and building the Zero Line bridge.
