ISLAMABAD: Frustrated over success of Pakistani initiative, India rejectsPakistan’s concession offer over Kartarpur Corridor visiting Sikh Pilgrims.
Indian government had decided against availing “concessions” announced byPrime Minister Imran Khan for Sikh pilgrims visiting Kartarpur Gurdwara onthe occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, BabaGuru Nanak.
“As a special gesture, Pakistan announced concessions on the auspiciousoccasion of 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak to facilitatepilgrims. This has been REFUSED by India in blatant disregard of Sikhsentiments,” FO spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal tweetedlink.
“If India does not wish to avail these facilitative measures for pilgrims,it is India’s choice,” he said.
The spokesman’s reaction came after the Indian Ministry of External Affairssaid that the visit by Sikh pilgrims to Kartarpur Gurdwara via the newlyestablished corridor would be conducted in accordance with the agreedbilateral agreement governing the corridor’s operations.
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MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar was quoted by Indian media as saying:“Sometimes they say passport is needed, other times it is not needed.
We think there are differences between their Foreign Office and otheragencies. We have a memorandum of understanding (MoU), it hasn’t beenchanged and as per it passport is needed.”