Pakistan sends recommendations to India for visa-free travel of Sikh pilgrims through Kartarpur corridor

Possession of standard Indian passport, prior security clearance and small batches of pilgrims are among the 14 key recommendations reportedly submitted by Pakistani authorities to India for a visa-free travel to Sikh devotees visiting Kartarpur Sahib through proposed corridor.

According to a report by a Pakistani media house, Pakistan has sent recommendations to India for facilitating visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims through the upcoming Kartarpur corridor. Islamabad has given a 59-page document with 14 key recommendations to New Delhi, Express News TV reported quoting Pakistani diplomatic officials.

The recommendations call for Indian pilgrims to be given free entry and that facilitation centres and security check-posts to be set up on both sides of the border. The pilgrims shall be allowed in groups of a minimum of 15 people and Pakistan shall issue special permits to them.

Both countries will compile a record of visitors which will include their names, travel records and other details, according to the recommendations.

The Indian government shall provide a list of pilgrims to Pakistan three days in advance and it will be mandatory for all visitors to bear a standard Indian passport. The recommendations further say that all visitors shall be required to obtain a security clearance certificate from Indian authorities.

Pakistan shall issue permits to 500 visitors per day and local authorities shall reserve rights to admission.

The work on the proposed corridor for Sikh pilgrims began with the foundation laying ceremony of the corridor on the Indian side by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on November 26. Two days later, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone across the border.