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Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 21
Weeks after ground breaking ceremony amid fanfare by Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 28, 2018, Pakistan has now shared a draft agreement with India on the Kartarpur corridor issue.
Shared through the Indian High Commisison in Islamabad, the draft lists out proposals to facilitate the travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Gurudwara in Narowal in Pakistan, nearly 4 km away from Gurdaspur border on the Indian side.
Pakistan has appointed its Director-General (South Asia & SAARC) currently Mohammad Faisal as the focal person on its side. Islamabad has requested Delhi to appoint its focal person soon. “The Government of Pakistan also invited Government of India to urgently send a delegation to Islamabad to negotiate and finalize the Agreement,” said a formal statement from Islamabad.
India had recently deliberated on issues including land acquisition on its side, biometrics and online registration process at a meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary and including DG Punjab, DG Intelligence, BSF and NHAI officials as well as Indian envoy to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria.
Sources said that India will soon be proposing formal date to Pakistan for both sides to meet and discuss all issues.
The target is to open the corridor to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Pakistan on Monday claimed that its decision to move forward on the proposal is in line with Islamic principles that “advocate respect for all religions and Pakistan’s policy of promoting inter-faith harmony and religious tolerance”. “Pakistan would continue with its efforts to bring peace and stability in the region,” added the formal statement, even as Islamabad released new set of pictures on Monday to highlight the work progress on the corridor on its side.
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