Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday said that Pakistan looks forward to welcoming Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the Kartarpur Corridor.

In a statement, Foreign Minister said while Pakistan had reopened the Kartarpur Corridor on June 29 last year after temporary suspension of about three months due to COVID-19 pandemic, India had kept the Corridor closed from its side for nearly 20 months, and has only now allowed it to be re-opened.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Sikh community from India and around the world had been urging the opening of the Corridor. He said Pakistan had also proposed formally to India to reopen the corridor in respect of the wishes and sentiments of the pilgrims.

The Minister said Pakistan will also be hosting thousands of Sikh pilgrims from India and around the world for 552nd birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak for ten days from Wednesday.

Nearly 3000 Sikh Pilgrims reached Pakistan on Wednesday to participate in the 552nd birth anniversary celebrations of Sikh faith founder Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, state owned Radio Pakistan reported.

Spokesman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board Amir Hashim said after arrival in Pakistan, the Sikh pilgrims will be sent to Nankana Sahib, where the main birth anniversary celebration will be held on Friday. He said all arrangements have been finalized and pilgrims will be provided special facilities and foolproof security in Pakistan.

He said leaders of minority communities will also participate in these celebrations.

A few days ago, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry had said that more than 8, 000 Sikh pilgrims from all over the world will visit Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.

The minister took to his official Twitter handle to make the announcement and to welcome the pilgrims to “the land of Gurus, Sufis and Yugis”.