Amritsar, March 14,2019: The first meeting to discuss the modalities and draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor was held today at Attari, India in a cordial environment.
Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartapur Sahib Corridor.
Both sides also held expert level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor.
It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on 2 April 2019. This will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on 19 March 2019 at the proposed zero points to finalize the alignment.
MHA Joint secretary SCL Das addressing mediapersons that the government had placed three demands before the Pakistani delegation.
First was that Pakistan allow at least 5,000 pilgrims to visit to the Gurdwara on a daily basis.
The number may be increased to 10,000 pilgrims on special days, such as Gurpurab, baisakhi etc. The Indian delegation emphasized on visa free entry for pilgrims. All the Indian pilgrims, including non-resident Indians may get visa free access to the Gurdwara and that if any pilgrims so desired, they be allowed to visit the shrine on foot.
Indian delegation also impressed upon the Pakistani delegation that there be no closed days for visiting the shrine and that it be kept open all seven days of the week, Das said.
Das said that the delegation from Pakistan assured that they would consider the requests and revert on them during the next round of talks.
The Indian delegation was led by S.C.L. Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Pakistan delegation was led by Dr. Mohammad Faisal, DG (SA & SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.