No passport, advance booking needed for Indian Sikhs visiting Kartarpur Shahib: Imran Khan
Islamabad : In a huge relief to Sikh devotees from India visitng Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan, PM Imran Khan announced that passport and advanced bookings will not be required to visit the holy shrine.
Earlier, although sought to visa-free access, it was mandatory for the visitors to carry their passports along with them. There was a clause that the visiting devotees must register themselves at least 10 days before their visit; it has also been removed by the Pakistan.
It must be noted that the bookings had begun on October 24, and pilgrims were to be notified with the details of their travel three to four days prior to the visit.
There is a fee of $20 imposed by the Pakistan on the name of maintenance of the corridor from India to Pakistan. Pakistan PM Imran Khan announced that the same will not be charged on the inauguration day and on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary.
Announcing that waiver, Pakistan PM Khan said, “For Sikhs coming for pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I’ve waived off 2 requirements: i) they won’t need a passport-just a valid ID; ii)they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee to be charged on the day of inauguration and on Guruji’s 550th birthday.”
On October 28, the Congress constituted a delegation that will accompany Dr Manmohan Singh to Kartarpur Sahib on the inauguration day. The delegation of the Congress includes Captain Amarinder Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia, RPN Singh, Asha Kumari, R Surjewala, Deepender Hooda and Jitin Prasada.
The development came after former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh accepted Pakistan’s invitation to the inaugural ceremony of the landmark Kartarpur Corridor.
