Lahore:
The Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, temporarily closed in recent rains and recent floods, will reopen on Saturday (tomorrow).
According to the Kartarpur project management unit (KPMU), heavy rain and subsequent floods had caused a water plowing inside the premises, leading to the precautionary closure of the sanctuary.
The authorities have confirmed that after the in -depth cleaning and repair work, the Gurdwara is now ready to welcome visitors again. Initially, however, the entry will only be limited to families only to prevent overcrowding and ensure smooth facilitation by the staff.
Despite the reopening, the Sikhs of India pilgrims remain unable to travel in the corridor of Kartarpur, because the Indian government has not yet allowed its citizens to travel on this road. This restriction has led to the disappointment between the Sikhs in India as well as in the world.
The development comes just before the birthday of the death of Baba Guru Nanak, scheduled for September 22, which attracts thousands of faithful Sikhs each year. This year, Indian pilgrims will not be able to attend the birthday. According to Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), a large number of Pakistani Sikhs will participate, alongside pilgrims from countries such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Federal Secretary for Religious Affairs and the Interfis Harmony, Dr. Atta-Ur-Rehman; President of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Dr Sajid Mehmood Chauhan; The president of PSGPC, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora; And the additional secretary of Nasir Mushtaq sanctuaries is expected to hold a press conference on Saturday. The preparations are expected to be made for the anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the post-invalid restoration efforts in Kartarpur and the concerns of Pakistan concerning India restrictions on Sikhs pilgrims.
It should be mentioned that the Kartarpur corridor and the enlarged Gurdwara complex were inaugurated in 2019, allowing Sikhs from India to visit Darbar Sahib via the Kartarpur corridor without visa and return the same day. However, after increased tensions between Pakistan and India, New Delhi has suspended the use of the corridor for its citizens, a ban which continues to date.
