Login With Google
Pak. shares draft pact on Kartarpur Corridor
Why is it in news?
- Indian and Pakistani officials are expected to meet to discuss a “draft agreement” on the Kartarpur corridor in Punjab.
- The meeting follows the Pakistan government’s announcement that it had shared the draft of the agreement, to be signed by the two governments, for “facilitation of (Indian) Sikh Yatrees to visit the Gurudwara, Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Narowal, Pakistan”.
More in news
- Designation of a focal person: The Pakistan government also appointed its Director-General (South Asia & SAARC), Dr. Muhammad Faisal “as the focal person on Pakistan’s side and requested that the Government of India designate a focal person at its end.
- Exceptional case:(1) The Kartarpur initiative is seen as an exceptional case for the Indian government, which has refused to open talks with Pakistan on any other issue until concerns on terror are addressed.(2) It has agreed to work with Pakistan on the plan to help Sikh pilgrims access the sacred site.
- Finalisation of issues: Issues that need to be finalised are the exact point of crossing over for the pilgrims, the identity cards required, as well as security procedures and guarantees needed by both sides.
- Previous draft:(1) Pakistan had proposed a 14-point agreement, which included visa free travel for the pilgrims who would be processed at checkpoints on both the Indian and Pakistani side.(2) The agreement included setting up a database of all pilgrims visiting, with a suggested cap of 500 pilgrims per day.
- India has been working on modalities for arrangements for the corridor on the Indian side, and is expected to meet with Pakistani officials this year.
Source
The Hindu