Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan has renewed the bilateral agreement with India, facilitating visa-free pilgrimages to the Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, for an additional five years. This extension reaffirms Pakistan’s dedication to promoting interfaith harmony and continues to ease access for thousands of Sikh pilgrims.

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the “Agreement between the Republic of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal, Pakistan” was initially signed on October 24, 2019, and is set to expire in October 2024.

The agreement allows for visa-free entry to Indian pilgrims visiting the sacred site where Sikhism’s founder, Baba Guru Nanak, spent his final years. The renewal of this pact, dubbed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as a “Corridor of Hope,” highlights its significance in fostering goodwill and religious freedom, aligning with the broader objectives of supporting minority rights and spiritual inclusivity.