Islamabad, August 22: Pakistan Foreign Office official Mohammad Faisal on Thursday said that despite tensions between India and Pakistan, his country is committed to open the Kartarpur Corridor. He said that the religious corridor will be opened in November 2019 on 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev for Sikh pilgrims. Pakistan Plans Grand Celebrations on Guru Nanak’s 550th Birth Anniversary.

Once operational, the corridor will allow Sikhs to visit the shrine of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Pakistan without a visa. However, Faisal said that he is not sure if India will remain committed to the project, following ongoing tensions between the two countries. Kartarpur Corridor: US Encourages Talks Between India and Pakistan, Says the Move Would Increase People-to-People Ties Between the Two Countries.

Tweet by ANI:

On reports of Indians stranded in Pakistan after closing rail and bus links, Faisal said he had no knowledge of any Indian citizens in Pakistan. "If there were any, we are ready to facilitate their return. They can go back on foot through the Wagha border because that is open," he said.

The Kartarpur Corridor was first proposed by former Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif. However, the foundation stone was laid down in the Indian side on November 26, 2018. The corridor is expected to be completed before 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev in November 2019.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2019 06:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).