SADD has called upon both sides to evolve a consensus over allowing the Sikh devotees visa-free access to the fountainhead of Sikhi

NEW DELHI, Mar 7: Ahead of the crucial meetings of Indian and Pakistani officials, the SADD has called upon both sides to evolve a consensus over allowing the Sikh devotees visa-free access to the fountainhead of Sikhi across the border. The two sides are scheduled to meet in New Delhi on March 13 and in Islamabad on March 28. "We would like to urge them not to allow red tape come in the way of the Sikh devotees," SADD chief Paramjit Singh Sarna told reporters here.

Sri Kartarpur Sahib

"We would like to urge both sides to work out an agreement on allowing visa-free, passport-free access during Guru Nanak Sahib's 550th birth-anniversary celebrations." Sardar Sarna suggested the devotees intending to visit Sri Kartarpur Sahib be allowed to produce any proof of their identity -- be it the voter IDs, Aadhaar, PAN or ration cards.

The two sides are scheduled to meet in New Delhi

"They should not be held back in the absence of valid passports. Both sides may work out arrival and exit timings for the visiting devotees. Passports may be mandated should any pilgrim wishes to travel down to historic gurdwaras in Pakistan other than Sri Kartarpur Sahib," the SADD chief suggested. He hoped both New Delhi and Islamabad would take steps to make the planned corridor accessible to a wider Sangat with least impediments.