ISLAMABAD, November 8: Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has said that as a special gesture Pakistan announced concessions on the auspicious occasion of 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak to facilitate pilgrims but India has refused to avail these facilities in blatant disregard of Sikh sentiments.
In a tweet message, he said if India does not wish to avail these facilities it is India’s choice. Dr Faisal maintained that by doing so India is creating confusion to confuse. It may be noted that Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to inaugurate a much-awaited Kartarpur corridor on Saturday.
The foundation stone of Kartarpur Corridor to link Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Narowal district with India’s Gurdaspur district was laid by PM Imran Khan, on November 28 last year.
The step highlights Pakistan’s efforts for promoting religious harmony and peace in the region. The Islamabad’s move to open the Kartarpur Corridor for the facilitation of the Sikh community is being widely appreciated by the Sikh leaders.
Foreign Office Spokesman, Dr. Muhammad Faisal, during a weekly briefing on Thursday (yesterday), had said that no fee will be charged from the Sikh pilgrims coming to Kartarpur on November 9 and November 10.
The officials of Pakistan and India in a historic event on October signed an agreement for opening Kartarpur Corridor.
Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director General South Asia and SAARC Dr. Muhammad Faisal and India’s Joint Secretary External Affairs SCL Das signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries at Kartarpur Zero Point.
In the agreement, Islamabad has kept a service fee of $20 for Sikh pilgrims visiting the Corridor from the Indian side, unchanged. – Agencies
