As Kartarpur inauguration nears, Pakistan announces special waivers for Sikh pilgrims

Pakistan has waived off the requirement of carrying a passport for identification and having to register beforehand for visitors that will be in the country to celebrate the 550^th “Prakash Purb” of Guru Nanak Dev, it announced on Friday.

Indian pilgrims have also been exempted from paying the entry fee of $20 on the day of the inauguration of the corridor and Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday.

Border Security Force personnel check documents of Sikh pilgrims before crossing over to Pakistan, at the Wagah Border Post. AFP

"For Sikhs coming for pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived off 2 requirements: i) they won't need a passport -- just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance," Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted.

"Also, no fee will be charged on day of inauguration & on Guruji's 550th birthday," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9 and dispatch the first lot of pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab province on the occasion of the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev.

The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, originally known as Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, is a highly respected Sikh shrine where Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years of his life and is his final resting place.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has reviewed the progress of the arrangements at Dera Baba Nanak and Sultanpur Lodhi for the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor and the 550th Prakash Purb celebrations. He said all preparations were on track.