Pakistan Opens Kartarpur Corridor for Guru Nanak's 557th Birth Anniversary

Pakistan has opened the Kartarpur Corridor and finalised arrangements for ceremonies marking the 557th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, according to officials. The government had announced the corridor's opening on September 17, 2026, describing the move as a gesture of religious goodwill toward the Sikh community.

The corridor links Dera Baba Nanak in India's Punjab state to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Baba Guru Nanak spent the final years of his life. The route allows Sikh pilgrims to visit one of their faith's holiest sites without undergoing standard visa procedures.

India, however, has suspended the movement of Sikh pilgrims through the corridor since May 2025, citing the Pahalgam incident. The suspension has left many devotees unable to perform religious rituals at the shrine, and members of the Sikh community have repeatedly urged that the route be reopened.

The development comes amid wider expressions of support for the corridor. On October 27, 2026, the assembly in India's Punjab state passed a resolution backing the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor, reflecting sustained demand among Sikhs for access to the site.

Indian Sikh pilgrims have welcomed Pakistan's decision, saying it reflects religious tolerance and a commitment to peace, and contrasts with the continued suspension of pilgrim movement across the border. They also thanked the Pakistani government and people for their warm and friendly treatment, describing the welcome as an example of interfaith harmony.

The corridor is widely seen as a significant confidence-building measure between the two countries and as a channel for religious tourism. Pakistan's latest opening comes as devotees prepare to observe the 557th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.