Indian Sikh pilgrims flocked to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib via Wagah border on Wednesday as the Kartarpur Corridor reopened for the celebration of the 552nd birth anniversary of its founder Guru Nanak.

The Indian government had closed its side of the corridor and restricted travel in March 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It reopened the corridor after over a year and a half, as a result more than two dozen Sikhs visited the gurdwara on Wednesday.

Indian home minister Amit Shah wrote on Twitter, “I am sure that PM Narendra Modi govt’s decision to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib corridor will further boost the joy and happiness across the country.”

Speaking to a media outlet in Pakistan, Kartarpur Management Unit Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Latif said that the Indian Punjab chief minister would also be visiting Darbar Sahib on Thursday along with his delegation.

Latif revealed that over 100 Indian pilgrims are expected to visit the gurdwara today. “Before the Indian government closed its side of the corridor, the per day number of visitors from the Indian side swelled to a maximum 2,000,” he said.

The Kartarpur Corridor is a visa-free crossing which allows Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the temple in Pakistan where Guru Nanak was buried in 1539.

The Kartarpur corridor agreement was signed by India and Pakistan on October 24, 2019.

A video of Sikh pilgrims being welcomed by Pakistan has circulated on social media. It has garnered a variation of responses from Twitter users.

Many lauded Pakistan and its people for their hospitality.

One user both praised and warned Pakistan in their tweet.