NAPA seeks quick reopening of Kartarpur Corridor

In a strong appeal that underscores growing distress among Sikh communities worldwide, the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has urged India and Pakistan to immediately reopen the Kartarpur Corridor. The corridor, a rare symbol of peace, spirituality, and bilateral goodwill, has remained closed to Indian pilgrims since May 2025, triggering mounting emotional and religious concerns.

NAPA said the continued suspension of the pilgrim movement has created deep anguish among millions of Sikh devotees who regard Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib in Pakistan as one of the holiest sites in Sikh tradition. The corridor, which offers visa-free access to the shrine, had revived hopes of sustained people-to-people engagement between the two neighbours when it was launched in 2019.

The association noted that the Kartarpur route has faced disruptions earlier as well. It remained shut for an extended period during the COVID-19 pandemic until its reopening in November 2021. In July 2023, travel was briefly halted again following flooding in the Ravi River. However, the current closure imposed by India citing security concerns has lasted longer than expected, with no clarity from either side on when normal movement will resume.

NAPA said the uncertainty has particularly unsettled the Sikh diaspora, who look to Kartarpur Sahib as a spiritual lifeline. While Pakistani officials have expressed optimism about resuming operations, New Delhi and Islamabad have yet to announce a firm timeline, further deepening community anxiety.

Calling for “immediate humanitarian and diplomatic steps,” NAPA appealed directly to the foreign ministers of both nations to prioritize reopening the corridor. It emphasised that the issue transcends politics, describing Kartarpur as a vital bridge of faith and cooperation in a region often overshadowed by hostility.

The association urged both governments to act swiftly and jointly to ensure that devotees can once again access Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib without delay, restoring what it described as an essential channel of peace and religious connection.

The Kartarpur Corridor is a visa-free passage connecting Dera Baba Nanak in India to Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Opened in 2019, it is a rare peace initiative that allows Sikh pilgrims direct access to the holy shrine. The route has faced periodic closures due to security and environmental concerns.