New Delhi today told Islamabad that it is ready to sign the Agreement on Kartarpur Sahib Corridor day after tomorrow but termed Pakistan’s continuous insistence on levying a service fee of USD 20 per pilgrim per visit to the Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib as a matter of disappointment. An External Affairs Ministry release said it has consistently urged Pakistan that in deference to the wishes of the pilgrims, it should not levy such a fee.
The release said understanding has been reached on most of the elements for facilitating the visit of pilgrims from India. It also said that in view of the long-pending demand of the pilgrims to have visa-free access to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib and in the interest of operationalization of the corridor in time before the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak falling on the 12th of next month, India has agreed to sign the Agreement.
Pakistan has been once again urged to reconsider its insistence to levy service fee on pilgrims. It said India will be ready to amend the Agreement accordingly at any time.
AIR correspondent reports that the Government of India has taken the initiative to put in place the state of art infrastructure and open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on the auspicious occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji so that the pilgrims from India and those holding Overseas Citizen of India Card can undertake visit to the holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.
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