By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan and India held second round of talks to finalize the modalities for the provision of an easy access to Sikhs to visit their temple, Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan’s border town of Kartarpur , just four kilometres away from international border.
Following the second round of talks between India and Pakistan on Kartarpur Corridor on Sunday, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said over 80 per cent has been agreed upon between the two sides.
The second round of talks were held today at Wagah, Radio Pakistan reported.
Speaking to the media following the talks, Director General South Asia Dr Faisal said: “In my opinion, around […] 80 per cent and beyond has been agreed upon.”
The FO spokesperson said that he could not share details until a final agreement was reached.
Dr Faisal added that another round of talks would be held soon to address the approximately 20 per cent unresolved factors. However, he did not provide any details of the meeting, English newspaper, Daily Dawn reported.
Following the talks, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that the Indian side has asked Pakistan to permit 5,000 pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib using the corridor daily and that an additional 10,000 pilgrims be allowed to visit on special occasions, Indian media reported.
Additionally, they requested that Persons of Indian Origin with OCI [Overseas Citizenship of India] cards be permitted to use the Kartarpur Corridor facility.
The ministry also shared details of a bridge that they were building and “urged” Pakistan to build a bridge on their side.
“Pending construction of [a] bridge over old Ravi creek by Pakistan on their territory, India offered to make interim arrangements for making corridor operational in November 2019, given [the] historic importance of 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”
India had earlier pulled out of the second bilateral meeting scheduled for April 2 after the two sides had met at Attari on March 14.
Dr Faisal led the Pakistani side while an eight-member Indian delegation was led by S.L. Das.
Dr Faisal told mediapersons that under the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan is “fully committed to materialising” the Kartarpur Corridor into a reality for the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in November this year.
The FO spokesperson said that 70 per cent of the gurdwara complex, terminal building and road had been completed.
Dr Faisal said that he hoped talks between the two sides today would be productive.
The corridor, a peace initiative of the Pakistani government, is being constructed to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The corridor will provide Indian Sikhs visa-free access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Pakistan.
