India urges Pak to reconsider fee clause in Kartarpur pact | Fusion - WeRIndia

India decided to move forward with the Kartarupur agreement with Pakistan keeping the Sikh pilgrims in mind.

However, the Pakistani government is insisting on levying a fee of $20 from Indian pilgrims who visit Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara.

In this context, India urged Pakistan to reconsider the fee clause in the Kartarpur agreement.

But, as per sources, Pakistan is rigid and inflexible in its demand and does not want to change it.

The Kartarpur corridor will be open to the public from November 9, 2019. Though India has been urging to waive the fee, Pakistan is adamant on levying a fee of $20 per pilgrim per visit.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the Indian government decided to go ahead even though Pakistan charges a fee despite its objections considering the religious sentiments of the people in India.

The MEA said that pilgrims are waiting to visit the holy place and government considers their view.

Indian government conveyed its message to Pakistan that it is ready to sign the Agreement on Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

The MEA said that Pakistan’s action is disappointing, yet, the government would try to convince Pakistan on waiving the fee before the place is opened to the public.

The agreement would be signed between both the countries on October 23. The government would once again urge the Pakistani government to reconsider the levying of fee on pilgrims while agreeing to sign the pact.

India is ready to amend the Agreement at any time if Pakistan agrees to the proposal of waiving the fee.

However, Pakistan did not announce anything on this matter.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Facebook said that the much-awaited Kartarpur corridor would be opened on November 9 for Sikh pilgrims from all across the globe.

He added that the Kartarpur project entered final stages; hence, Pakistan is set to open the doors for pilgrims.

Image credit: Pilgrims inside the Golden Temple image by Fulvio Spada is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Image Reference: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lfphotos/9693307304/