ISLAMABAD – As Pakistani delegation held high-level talks with India tofinalise the remaining modalities on the proposed Kartarpur Corridor forthe visit of Sikh pilgrims to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the Indian delegationplaced more demands, which in consequence hurdled the finalisation of theproject.
India has asked Pakistan to increase the number of visiting pilgrims to10,000 per day into the country, exclusion of service fee for pilgrims anddemanded that ‘protocol officials’ be also allowed come along with thevisitors at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Baba GuruNanak.
These demands deferred the talks as Pakistan immediately refused to acceptthem.
Importantly, Pakistan has already accepted India’s demand of facilitatingvisa-free movement of 5,000 Sikh pilgrims per day, and now they will haveto just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur.
Furthermore, Pakistan has allowed pilgrims choice to visit the shrineindividually or in form of groups.
India has also asked Pakistan to allow Sikh pilgrims prepare and distributealms (langar or free meal) amongst visitors at the shrine’s almonries.
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Earlier, both countries pledged to complete construction of the corridor bythe end of October and the fourth round of talks on ‘recommendations ofPakistan’ will be held next week.
Yesterday’s meeting was scheduled to take place on the Indian side of theWagah-Attari Border where the two countries were expected to finalise thedraft agreement pertaining to opening of the corridor.
Before departing for the talks, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr MuhammadFaisal told the media that Pakistan has already completed 95 percent of thework on this side of the border – as the proposed corridor will connectDarbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine inGurdaspur district
