The Kartarpur corridor will be inaugurated on November 9 in Pakistan to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Merely four days ahead of this significant day, Pakistan is up to playing its dirty tricks.
According to the government of India sources, no arrangements have been made from the Pakistani side as far as the pilgrims to the holy site are concerned. India has alleged that Pakistan has not sent any confirmation over the list of 575 Indian pilgrims scheduled to visit the opening ‘jatha’ to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib, which India shared with Pakistan. India has also claimed that critical information such as availability of medical facilities and security arrangements for the pilgrims have also not been shared with India.
India further alleged that Pakistan has not allowed any advance team from India to visit the shrine to review the arrangements.
“Several prominent dignitaries are travelling as part of inaugural ‘Jatha’. However, Pakistan has not allowed any advance team from India to visit Kartarpur Sahib to confirm the arrangements made,” the sources within government sources were quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
“A list of prominent Sikh leaders and other dignitaries who are part of the inaugural ‘jatha’ to undertake the pilgrimage on 9th November has been sent to the Pakistani side. However, India is yet to receive a confirmation from Pakistan on the list,” they added.
Govt Sources: A list of prominent Sikh leaders and other dignitaries who are part of the inaugural ‘jatha’ to undertake the pilgrimage on 9th November has been sent to the Pakistani side. However,India is yet to receive a confirmation from Pakistan on the list. #KartarpurCorridor pic.twitter.com/hZT1HfsICO
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2019
Sources who are of the belief that Pakistan has ruined the spirit of the pilgrimage as they have been unwilling to extend full cooperation, also felt that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Tweet, stating that no passports would be required to undertake the pilgrim, has created an absolute confusion amongst the pilgrims.
India has said that this requirement is however mentioned in the MOU signed. There has been no offer from Pakistan to amend the MOU in light of Imran Khan’s tweet. Pilgrims are therefore are unclear on the documents they need to carry.
Govt Sources: There is absolute confusion created by Pakistan PM’s tweet that no passports will be required to undertake pilgrimage. This requirement is however mentioned in the MOU signed. There has been no offer from Pakistan to amend the MOU in light of Imran Khan’s tweet.
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2019
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced on Friday through Twitter that Sikh pilgrims visiting the gurdwara at Kartarpur Sahib will not require passports to enter Pakistan and also would not have to register their purpose of visit 10 days in advance. His tweet was, however, devoid of an explanation as to how these measures would be implemented.
“Also, no fee will be charged on the day of inauguration & on Guruji’s 550th birthday,” he wrote.
For Sikhs coming for pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived off 2 requirements: i) they wont need a passport – just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on day of inauguration & on Guruji’s 550th birthday
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 1, 2019
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will open the Kartarpur Corridor ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak on November 12.
India and Pakistan last week signed the agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor that will allow Indian pilgrims to undertake a visa-free visit to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. The agreement will allow 5,000 Indian pilgrims daily to visit the shrine.
The two countries had signed the agreement after three rounds of tough negotiations. Despite Indian relentless efforts to get the fee waivered, each Indian pilgrim will require to pay a fee of USD 20 to use the corridor which connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Punjab with Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur, just 4 kilometres from the International Border, located at Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province.
