India and Pakistan have agreed to extend the validity of the agreement on the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for a period of five years, the Ministry of Extrernal Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.

The agreement, signed between the two countries on October 24, 2019, facilitates the visit of pilgrims from India to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan’s Narowal through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and was originally valid for five years.

“In view of the continued requests of pilgrims regarding the removal of the USD 20 service charge levied by Pakistan per pilgrim per visit, India has once again urged Pakistan not to impose any fees or charges on the pilgrims”, the MEA said.

Earlier in June, Pakistan issued 509 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend Maharaja Ranjeet Singh’s death anniversary. At that time, the Pakistan High Commission in India said, “On the occasion of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 509 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to attend the annual anniversary scheduled to be held in Pakistan from June 21 to 30, 2024.” Maharaja Ranjeet Singh was the first king of the Sikh empire in the 19th century and is popularly known as ‘Sher-e-Punjab.’

Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, Saad Ahmad Warraich, reiterated the country’s commitment to facilitating all necessary assistance for their journeys. The issuance of visas is regulated under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines, established in 1974. Annually, a considerable number of Indian pilgrims travel to Pakistan to partake in various religious festivals.