Pak opens immigration centre at Kartarpur border; says could be an easy target for terrorists

Pakistan FIA director said that since the border could be an easy passage for terrorists, drug dealers and human traffickers a strong mechanism was required to keep the situation under control on both sides.

Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara/ Image: PTI

New Delhi: After the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, Pakistan has established an immigration centre at the border. It said that the border could provide an easy passage to terrorists and drug dealers.  The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director (Punjab) Mufakhar Adeel told Dawn News “The FIA has set up an immigration office at Kartarpur border in Narowal (some 120 kms from Lahore).” The Gurudwara Darbar Sahib is located close to Kartarpur border. He said that since the border could be an easy passage for terrorists, drug dealers and human traffickers a strong mechanism was required to keep the situation under control on both sides. He told the daily that the officials of the Federal Investigation Agency would only play the role of boarding officers and check the documents of pilgrims and identify them through biometric technology. As per the report, Sikh pilgrims having visa would be allowed to enter the city while pilgrims with permits would be given access to Gurudwara only. Pakistan had agreed to the long-pending demand of the Sikh Community by opening the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for the Indian pilgrims to be able to visit the significant Gurudwara in Pakistan. The corridor will connect Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev's final resting place in Pakistan's Kartarpur to the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur district in India. On November 28, Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor. On November 26, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor in Gurdaspur. Khan said that his government and the army wanted a "civilised relationship" with India, declaring that Islamabad would move two steps forward if New Delhi took one step. The corridor is expected to be completed within six months.