Kartarpur Corridor: Sikhism win

By Abid Hussain

Sikh is followers of Sikhism and believers of their holy scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The
Sikhism can be traced back to 1500 century, Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Nanak are regarded as
founder of this religion. Sikhism is a monotheistic and fifth-largest religion in the world. In a recent
religious report, it is claimed that 28 million people are followers of Sikhism. Their worships place of
Sikhism rituals are Asia and America. Sikhs are strong believers of Guru Nanak Dev, the first of the 10
Gurus. Shri Guru Granth Sahib as eternal Guru (teacher) of Sikhs. Sri Harmandir Sahib also known as
Golden Temple in India at Amritsar remains the most important religious site of Sikhism in term of
worships. Some other worship centres like Gurdwara Janam Asthan in the West of Lahore where Guru
Nanak was born, Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasan Abdal, where the hand print of Guru Nanak
imprinted in boulder within its ground, a sacred place where pilgrims visit each year for the religious
rituals. Sikhs are usually identified by the Turban (Dastaar or Pagri), distinctive headgear which could
be worn by both the males and the females.
Article 36 of constitution of Pakistan enshrines religious freedom to all minorities. Pakistan always and
shall respect the religious rituals of all religions across the world. The legitimate rights and interest of
minorities in Pakistan have always been prioritized. Sikhism in terms of religious rituals is considered
to be the second place after Islam.
Religious freedom and harmony of minorities are the basic principles of Islam and Pakistan had always
shown interest in minorities rights. To develop the Kartarpur corridor for the Sikh Yatris in Pakistan
shows religious freedom for minorities. Sikh Yatris visit each year to Pakistan for worships and it is
regarded as sanctity of the Sikh community’s.
After taking oaths as a 22nd prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan articulated that “There have been
mistakes on both sides [in the past], but we will not be able to move forward until we break the chains
of the past. The past is there only to teach us, not for us to live in.” Prime Minister Imran Khan is keen
to promote religious freedom and has decided to provide a place where Sikh Yatree complete rituals
duties comfortably. The Government of Pakistan had announced a 4.7 kilometers long, visa-free
Kartarpur corridor in 2018 to facilitate the Sikh Yatris on the 550th birth anniversary of their Founder,
Baba Guru Nanak in November 2019. Pakistan will accommodate 10,000 yatris on special days and
5000 pilgrims in a year. This corridor will allow the South Asian world’s Sikh community to observe
their spiritual obligations. Pakistan’s endeavours to respect and safeguard equal religious freedom for
their minorities will always be remembered and appreciated. These activities will also promote the soft
image of Pakistan in the world.
Approximately fifteen hundred Sikh Yatris arrived in Lahore via Wagah Border to participate in 550th
birth anniversary ceremonies of their spiritual leader Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 2019. Sikh Yatris had
also visited Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib. The Indian-origin card for non-resident Indian
and a valid passport for Indian resident is prerequisite for each pilgrims who travels to Pakistan.
Services charges for each pilgrims is US $20 while entering to the Kartarpur via Wagah border.
Many people believe that Opening this corridor will harm Indian and Pakistan both .Indian fears that
radicalization in Indian Punjab through a resurgent Khalistan movement may take place which will
affect the sovereignty of India. Pakistani believe that Muslims , who lives in India have been highly
deprived to perform worships openly by the Modi Government. The Indian believe that the government
of Pakistan should also treat the Sikhs with the same yardstick as the Modi Government treats the
Muslim minority. The ongoing conflict between two states regarding Kashmir is yet another issue.

The Government of Pakistan devised some instruction for the yatris while entering this corridor (1)
There will be a group of 15 members in each group. (2) maximum 500 visitors will visit on daily basis
(3) Permit for visitors will be issued by Pakistani government (4) Advance confirmation will be made
by Sikh Yatris prior to visit this country (5) security and facilitation centres on both sides (India and
Pakistan may be established (6) Indian valid passport will be shown to security persons (7) Security
clearance certificate from Indian government should also be shown (8) no mention has been made of
reciprocal travel arrangements on the Indian side if Sikhs – and, indeed non-Sikhs based in Pakistan -
wish to visit Dera Baba Nanak.
The corridor has opened a new junction between two countries and this will boost the economy and
people to people contacts in India and Pakistan. Pakistan believe in peace and it wants peace with all
neighbouring countries including India. The Kartarpur corridor is an initiative of Pakistan and a good
gesture for the government of India to be in peace and let others be in peace. It is a goodwill spirit for
friendship to India to resolve all disputes through dialogue. War is not an options for the disputes. To
break the logjam between two countries, the corridor will enhance people to people contacts in both
countries “[It] will boost the local economy [and] result in earning foreign exchange for the country
creating jobs in different sectors including travel and hospitality.”
The policymakers/stakeholders should considered the cross-border security challenges for both India
and Pakistan, while crossing the border. Surveillance of Sikh Yatris during their stay at Pakistan may
be made intransitive. The security agency must be vigilance during their stay at Pakistan to avoid
unavoidable circumstances from both sides.

The writer works at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, a think tank based in Islamabad. He
can be reached at abidhussain@issi.org.pk