Pak allows India to review preparations

New Delhi, November 6

Pakistan on Wednesday allowed officials from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to visit Kartarpur corridor and assess the security requirements in view of the likely arrival of VIP pilgrims from India, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, for the November 9 inauguration.

“Today (Wednesday) Pakistan allowed Indian High Commission officials to visit the corridor for the first time,” sources said here.

India had been requesting Pakistan to allow an advance team to visit the corridor to understand the requirements that visitors from India would have, including from the security point of view. “We had sought clarity and coordination from Pakistan to view the arrangements on their side. We have asked Pakistan to ensure that pilgrims and dignitaries from our side are not left in the lurch,” sources said.

In view of the heightened alert due to likely presence of Sikh separatists from Babbar Khalsa, Khalistan Liberation Front and other groups in Pakistan, India has conveyed that it doesn’t want the pilgrims to be harassed while on the pilgrimage. Pakistan has given an assurance to India on this count, sources said. — PTI