FO spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal said on Thursday the condition of passports for Indian Sikhs was waived for one year in the wake of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

The pilgrims will no longer have to carry their passports or convey their information to the government and register 10 days in advance.

The FO further said that the US $20 service charge per pilgrim on November 9 and 12 will also be waived, adding that this information has been formally conveyed to the Indian government.

However, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor on Wednesday had said pilgrims would require a ‘permit-based entry’ to the Kartarpur Corridor and no compromise would be made on the security of the region.

Kartapur Gurudwara’s night view: Image tweeted b @ImranKhanPti

Earlier this month, PM Imran Khan had said members of the Sikh community coming to Kartapur Corridor from India will not need a passport. They will be able to travel with a valid identity card.

He made the announcement on Twitter.

For Sikhs coming for pilgrimage to Kartarpur from India, I have waived off 2 requirements: i) they wont need a passport – just a valid ID; ii) they no longer have to register 10 days in advance. Also, no fee will be charged on day of inauguration & on Guruji's 550th birthday — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 1, 2019

In another tweet, he congratulated his own government for completing the construction work on time.

I want to congratulate our govt for readying Kartarpur, in record time, for Guru Nanak jee's 550th birthday celebrations. pic.twitter.com/dwrqXLan2r — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 3, 2019

The FO spokesperson further said that the Kartarpur Corridor was solely Pakistan’s initiative.

Not to rub it in, but this was solely Pakistan’s initiative. This was PM Imran Khan’s initiative which India then agreed to.

Referring to a terrorism report issued by the US State Department, the spokesperson reiterated that Islamabad is disappointed that the sacrifices and contributions made over the last two decades were overlooked.

It completely overlooks factual information and contribution made by Pakistan over the last two decades. We hope Pakistan’s contributions and sacrifices will be fully recognized, he said.

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