Kartarpur Corridor: Pakistan to charge $ 20 as tax from every Sikh devotee?

Bengaluru: Pakistan will charge every Sikh devotee a sum of 20 dollars as tax as they visit the Kartarpur from the Indian side. 

The move has received severe flak from India as it feels it disrespects the sentiments of the Sikh devotees. 

MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “India shared an agreement with Pakistan but it has not received a reply yet. We requested them to show flexibility as it is a sentimental matter to us but they are insisting on the fees. We have not received a reply on it and we hope we receive a response soon.”
India had further asked Pakistan to allow 10,000 pilgrims on special occasions and an Indian protocol officer to accompany the delegation that visits Kartarpur every day.

The Kartarpur Corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian pilgrims, who will only have to obtain a permit to visit the revered Kartarpur Sahib.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the much-awaited Kartarpur corridor to Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan on November 8. 
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also been invited by Pakistan for the event. 

Earlier Pakistan Foreign Minister Mehmood Qureshi said, "We are very happy about Kartarpur Corridor, Pakistan is preparing for it. Prime Minister (Imran Khan) is personally interested in this. We have decided to invite India's former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to grace his presence, he is very respected and also represents the Sikh community. I would like to extend him an invitation from Pakistan, we will send a formal letter to him soon. We are very happy to receive Sikh pilgrims who are coming to Kartarpur."

The move of taxing Sikh devotees will generate an income of Rs 569 crores annually to Pak economy. Over 5000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit Pak daily.

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