India turns down Pakistan’s concessions for Sikhs

ISLAMABAD: India has refused Pakistan’s special concessions given to Sikh pilgrims in connection with the opening of Kartarpur Corridor.

The move comes after a day before the inauguration of the first-ever visa-free border crossing between India and Pakistan.

Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal denounced the one-sided and reckless behaviour of the Indian government.

Also read: Kartarpur Corridor: Sikh pilgrims arrive in Lahore from India

Dr. Faisal posted on twitter, “As a special gesture, #Pakistan announced concessions on the auspicious occasion of 550th Birth Anniversary of #BabaGuruNanak to facilitate pilgrims. This has been REFUSED by #India in balatant disregard of Sikh sentiments.” 

As a special gesture, #Pakistan announced concessions on the auspicious occasion of 550th Birth Anniversary of #BabaGuruNanak to facilitate pilgrims. This has been REFUSED by #India in balatant disregard of Sikh sentiments.#Indiaconfused#PakistanKartarpurSpirit

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) November 7, 2019

He added, “If India does not wish to avail these facilitative measures for pilgrims, it is India’s choice. New Delhi is creating confusion to confuse.”

If India does not wish to avail these facilitative measures for pilgrims, it is India’s choice.
India is creating confusion to confuse. #Indiaconfused#PakistanKartarpurSpirit

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) November 7, 2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan, earlier this week dropped the conditions for the pilgrims to carry a passport for the 550th celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak.

The requirement to convey pilgrim information to the Government of Pakistan ten days prior to the entry through Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, and the US $20 service charges per pilgrim on 9th and 12th November was also waived.

The decision was sent formally to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and the Government of India.

Also read: Sidhu confirms attendance at Kartarpur Corridor opening

However, foreign office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal in a statement said India had refused to accept the concessions.

The refusal by India comes just a day before when Imran Khan will inaugurate the historic corridor on Saturday that would allow Indian pilgrims particularly Sikhs to visit the Shrine of Guru Nanak, located just over four kilometers from the international border inside Pakistan.