Attari, September 4: The third round of talks between India and Pakistan officials on the modalities for operationalisation of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib corridor failed to reach any conclusion due to inflexible attitude of Pakistan on two points.
The agreement could not be finalised today as Pakistan insisted on charging service fee of US $ 20 per pilgrim as entry fee to the corridor leading to the shrine in district Narowal across the border.
Another issue on which Pakistan government remained adamant was not to allow the Indian Consular or protocol officials to accompany pilgrims for their facilitation at the shrine premises.
SCL Das, Joint Secretary, Internal Security, in India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, who led the Indian delegation, said the two countries had reached an understanding on visa-free travel of Indian pilgrims without any restrictions. However, these two demands were outrightly rejected by Pakistan.
He said Pakistan has been insisted to reconsider these issues and hoped that another round of talks may happen on these issues.
“Entrance fee to be paid at a gurdwara is against the ethics and principles of Sikh religion. Considering it repugnant to the spirit of Kartarpur Sahib corridor, we have urged Pakistan to reconsider it. They justified it by saying that they have pumped in lot of money to facilitate this corridor. As they didn’t agree, the meeting could not reach any conclusion and agreement could not be finalised,” he said.
However, except for these two conditions, an agreement was reached on visa-free travel of Indian pilgrims without any restrictions. Individuals or groups of Indian origin holding Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card can also visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.
Despite persistent request to allow additional 10,000 pilgrims on special occasions like Gurpurab and Baisakhi, Pakistan has shown infrastructural constraints.
It was mutually agreed upon to cater to 5,000 pilgrims through corridor every day from dawn to dusk, whereas over and above the figure of 5,000 can visit on special occasions, subject to capacity expansion by Pakistan side. “Pakistan has conveyed its assurance to increase this number to the maximum possible,” said Das.
Those interested will have to apply at least 10 days in advance and a four-day notice of confirmation of his travel to the shrine.
Both the sides agreed to build the bridge at Budhi Ravi channel. Owing to the time constraint, the delegates agreed to construct a temporary crossing point coordinates, till the construction of the bridge is completed on the Pakistan side.
Pakistan also agreed to make sufficient provision for preparation and distribution of ‘langar’ and ‘parshad’ for the pilgrims.
Deepak Mittal, Joint Secretary, MEA, said both sides agreed to maintain secure environment during the movement of pilgrims. During the last meeting held at Wagah, a detailed dossier to highlight this concern was given to Pakistan.
