Kartarpur Corridor: This is how much Pakistan will earn every day
Punjab : India and Pakistan is all set to sign an agreement on Kartarpur Corridor on October 23 and the reports suggest that the latter will be charging fees of $20 for each pilgrim. With this, the neighbouring nation is likely to generate Indian Rs 258 crore per annum (nearly Pakistani Rs 571 crores).
According to a PTI report, the service fee from the pilgrims will be another source of foreign currency generation for Pakistan, which, as Pakistan claimed, will be spent for the maintenance of the corridor.
The authorities have revealed that only 5000 pilgrims will be allowed to cross the Kartarpur on a single day, resulting in generation of $1,00,000 every day for the Pakistani side.
Going by the Monday's rate of Indian Rs 70.95 for one USD, Pakistan will be earning Indian Rs 70.95 lakh every day. As the rate of Pakistani currency is Rs 156.46 for one USD, the per day earning will be Rs 1.56 crore (Pakistani rupees).
Since, the corridor will be operational on all 365 days, Pakistan will earn USD 3,65,00,000. The amount will be Indian Rs 258 crore and Pakistani Rs 571 crore, the report said.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday revealed signing of the agreement and expressed disappointment over Pakistan's decision to charge a service fees on the pilgrims.
"It is a matter of disappointment that while an understanding has been reached on most of the elements for facilitating the visit of pilgrims from India, Pakistan continues to insist on levying a service fee of USD 20 per pilgrim per visit. Government has consistently urged Pakistan that in deference to the wishes of the pilgrims, it should not levy such a fee," the MEA statement said.
"In view of the long pending demand of the pilgrims to have visa-free access to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib and in the interest of operationalisation of the Corridor in time before the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak falling on 12 November 2019, Government has today conveyed that we would be ready to sign the Agreement on Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on 23 October 2019," it said.
