Kartarpur shrine restored after floods, says Pak

Pakistan has confirmed that Kartarpur Sahib, the revered Sikh shrine hit by recent floods, is now fully clean and functional.

“Kartarpur Sahib was, of course, affected in terms of flooding during the recent monsoon rain, but now it is fully clean and functional,” a Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

Punjab province witnessed severe flooding in August. The gurdwara complex was largely submerged, though the sacred Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the sevadars remained safe on the first floor and were later evacuated.

The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in 2019, links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan — the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev — with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district. The 4.7-km visa-free corridor enables Indian pilgrims to visit the holy site without a visa.

However, India suspended the corridor operations on May 7 after the Pahalgam massacre by Pakistan-backed militants. The suspension remains in force.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann recently pressed for the reopening of the corridor, saying he would write to the Centre soon. “If you can allow a cricket match between India and Pakistan, why should Punjabis’ devotion towards their shrines in Pakistan be ignored? Either you allow all kind of alliances with Pakistan or you do not allow anything,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said it had not received any official communication from India regarding pilgrimage. Officials said the shrine was fully restored and pilgrims could visit it safely and comfortably.