Pakistan has declined an Indian request to give its consular officers a role in visa-free access facility to Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and also handed over a comprehensive dossier to India in response to its earlier objections.
As proposed by Pakistan, the third meeting to discuss the modalities of the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was held on Wednesday at Attari, India, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The Pakistan delegation was led by Dr Mohammad Faisal, Director General South Asia and SAARC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Indian side was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.
"Both sides held detailed discussions on outstanding issues, including issuance of cards to visiting pilgrims," it stated. "Prime Minister Khan's very first announcement of visa-free access to pilgrims is testament to Pakistan's sincerity and commitment to maximally facilitating them. Visa-free access to pilgrims precludes the need for consular officers from India. Rhetoric for public consumption is damaging," the Foreign Office said.
It stated that Pakistan side also handed over a comprehensive dossier to India, in response to the dossier shared by India in the last meeting. Sources said that Pakistan declined a request to give any role to Indian consular officers in the visa free access to the Sikh pilgrims and also shared a detailed response to India's earlier objections on certain issues. India had earlier also raised objections to pro-Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla being part of the Kartarpur committee.
"In line with Prime Minister Khan's commitment and Pakistan's unprecedented gesture of opening the Pakistan-India border for the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, Pakistan will permit 5,000 Indian pilgrims daily, with the provision for additional numbers on special occasions, subject to capacity," the Foreign Office statement further added.
It stated that it was stressed that Pakistan's Kartarpur spirit is aimed at facilitating and promoting Nanak Naamlevas but limiting pilgrims is necessary in the initial phases due to capacity constraints.
As announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan will allow visa-free access to pilgrims of all faiths, seven days a week, throughout the year. Pilgrims may travel individually or in groups and by bus or foot, as per their convenience.
It was agreed that an identification card will be issued by Pakistan to the visiting pilgrims. Pilgrims will be charged a nominal amount as service charges for the upkeep/ maintenance of the Gurdwara Sahib.
A Joint Working Group will be constituted by the parties for facilitating the smooth implementation of the agreement.
In view of paucity of time and the impending deadline of the 550th celebrations, Pakistan proposed that the next round of meeting be held at the earliest, preferably next week, to finalize the draft agreement.
"Pakistan remains steadfast in its resolve to fulfill Prime Minister Imran Khan's commitment to the Nanak Naamlevas in line with Islamic principles advocating respect for all religions," it asserted.
Comments
Comments are closed.