LAHORE: Even as diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan grow increasingly tense after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Kartarpur Corridor remains open, allowing uninterrupted access for Sikh pilgrims traveling to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.
Located in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, the corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak on the Indian side with the historic shrine across the border — believed to be the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
On Friday, steady groups of devotees crossed into Pakistan via the corridor, expressing hope that religious access would remain unaffected by political developments. “This spiritual link must stay open,” said a pilgrim from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. “It’s sacred, beyond politics.”
The visitations continued as the Indian government introduced a series of strong measures in response to the Pahalgam incident, which claimed over two dozen lives. Among these were the closure of the Attari land border, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and expulsion of Pakistani defense officials. However, the Kartarpur Corridor — so far — has not been part of these diplomatic retaliations.
Launched in November 2019 on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the corridor allows up to 5,000 Indian citizens to visit the gurdwara daily without a visa, under a special agreement between the two nations. Pilgrims of all faiths are eligible.
While many visitors condemned the violence in Kashmir and called for justice, they also urged both governments to keep religious routes open in the spirit of peace and mutual respect.
