Centre rules out reopening Kartarpur Corridor, says security situation does not permit resumption
Kartarpur corridor latest news: The Central Government has made it clear that he Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor will remain suspended for now, citing the current security situation in the country. The decision comes despite repeated requests from Sikh religious groups and organisations seeking the reopening of the corridor for pilgrims.
The clarification was given by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply.
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The government said the Kartarpur Corridor Agreement between India and Pakistan was signed on October 24, 2019, to facilitate visa-free access for Indian pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan.
The corridor was operationalised to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and to fulfil the long-standing demand of Sikh devotees for easier access to the holy shrine.
The Centre also pointed out that the agreement was extended for another five years in October 2024, meaning the pact itself continues to remain in force.
According to the government, services through the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor have remained suspended since May 7, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Ministry stated that while it has received several representations from Sikh religious organisations requesting the restoration of the pilgrimage route, the existing security environment does not allow the corridor to be reopened at this stage.
In its response, the government said the prevailing security scenario has made it necessary to continue the suspension of the corridor. It maintained that the decision is based solely on security considerations, even though demands for resuming pilgrim movement have been received from various Sikh bodies.
The Kartarpur Corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan, one of the holiest Sikh shrines associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji. While the bilateral agreement remains valid, the reopening of the corridor will depend on an improvement in the security situation, according to the government's latest statement.
- PTC NEWS
