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Pakistan Set to Open New Border Crossing for Indian Sikh Pilgrims

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan is set to open a new dedicated border crossing
   with rival India on Saturday, giving Indian Sikh pilgrims year-round,
   visa-free access to one of their holiest shrines in Pakistan.

   The temple, or gurdwara, in the town of Kartarpur in Punjab province is
   located about four kilometers from the border with India. It is
   believed to have been built on the site where the founder of Sikhism,
   Guru Nanak, died in the 16th century.

   India and Pakistan signed an agreement last month to facilitate Indian
   devotees intending to visit the shrine, known as the Gurdwara Darbar
   Sahib Kartarpur.

   As many as 5,000 Sikh pilgrims from India will be able to visit the
   temple each day, arriving in the morning and returning in the evening.

   The rare cooperation between the nuclear-armed rivals comes amid a
   sharp deterioration in their already tense ties sparked by recent
   Indian actions in the disputed Kashmir territory.

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