‘Pakistan will eventually waive $20 fee’: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

Batala (Punjab): Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday expressed the hope that Pakistan would eventually understand the Sikh sentiment and tradition, which bars the community from paying to visit gurdwaras and temples, and would, in due course, waive the $20 fee imposed on Indian pilgrims visiting Sri Kartarpur Sahib.

Even Emperor Akbar had lifted the ‘Jizya’ tax on non-Muslims, showing respect for secular sentiment, he pointed out, urging Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to reconsider the $20 fee in light of the Sikh pilgrims’ sentiments. The Chief Minister did not find the comparison between this fee and the money charges by Saudi Arabia from Haj pilgrims to be apt in the present case, given the Sikhi tradition.

Talking to media persons here, the Chief Minister welcomed the signing of the agreement for the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor between India and Pakistan, which permits 5,000 pilgrims to visit the historic gurdwara every day, from sunrise to sunset, either in groups or individually. Only the passport would be required as an identification document, with no visa needed for the visit, he pointed out, adding that NRI and OCI cardholders would also be allowed to visit the gurdwara via the corridor, which pilgrims can also travel on foot. Amarinder Singh reiterated that he would personally lead an all-party delegation, along with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife, as the first ‘jatha’ traveling through the Corridor. The Chief Minister said all arrangements on the part of his government were complete for the 550th Prakash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev and the state government would be announcing details of the final schedule of programmes and events in the next three-four days. (IANS)

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