Kartarpur Corridor Updates

[Syed1.]

5000 per day, even if we charge a nominal fees of Rs 100 per person. That makes it Rs. 500,000 per day and about Rs. 182 million per year, granted there are 5000 pilgrims every day of the year.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan increases land allotted to Kartarpur Gurdwara from 3 to 42 acres
Pakistan will allot 42 acres of land for the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, up 14 times, Punjab government has announced while indicating that 80 percent of the work on the landmark Kartarpur Corridor has been completed, according to a media report.

Press Trust of India
Lahore
July 17, 2019

Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said 80 per cent of the work on the Kartarpur Corridor has been completed as per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan (File photo)

Pakistan will allot 42 acres of land for the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, up 14 times, Punjab government has announced while indicating that 80 percent of the work on the landmark Kartarpur Corridor has been completed, according to a media report.

The corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Sikh faith founder Guru Nanak Dev.


Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar on Tuesday announced increasing the land allotted for Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur from three acres to 42 acres and further said that any kind of construction will not be done on the land, which remained under cultivation of Guru Nanak, The News reported.

"We want to convey this message to the Sikh brethren living all over the world that there will be no cut inland for Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur and Guru Nanak, rather 42 acres land has been allocated for Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and 62 acres for cultivation," Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said during his visit to the corridor to review the pace of work on the project.

"In this way, total land for Gurdwara Darbar Sahib will be 104 acres," Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said.

The governor, who also heads the committee for religious tourism and heritage, said the total land for Kartarpur Corridor will be 408 acres.

Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said 80 per cent of the work on the Kartarpur Corridor has been completed as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and hope that it would be completed before 550 birth celebrations of Guru Nanak this year.

Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar also hoped that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the inaugural ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor, the report added.

Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar said it was a "good omen" that second round of talks between Pakistan and India on the Kartarpur Corridor remained successful.

Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar further said special transport would be provided from checkpoint to Darbar Sahib to the Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting this holy place. He said construction of three 'langar Khanas' was underway at Darbar Sahib where Sikh pilgrims would be provided quality meal and other facilities, the report added.

The pilgrims coming from India would have to return back from Kartarpur in the given time and the ones coming from the UK, the US and other countries on valid visas would be granted permission to stay here and houses are being built for them, it added.

Pakistan is building the corridor from the Indian border to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib while the other part from Dera Baba Nanak up to the border will be constructed by India.

Last November, India and Pakistan agreed to set up the border crossing linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine.

Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on November 26 last year laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur Corridor in Gurdaspur district.

Two days later, Pakistan Prime Minister Khan laid the foundation stone of the corridor in Narowal, 125-km from Lahore.

 

[shahbaz baig]

5000 per day, even if we charge a nominal fees of Rs 100 per person. That makes it Rs. 500,000 per day and about Rs. 182 million per year, granted there are 5000 pilgrims every day of the year.

I heard no fee will be charged.

 

[Pakistansdefender]

I heard no fee will be charged.

100 or 200 must be charged.
For the upkeep of gurdwara itself.
5000 was proposed but 250 to 300 would be charged.

 

[shahbaz baig]

100 or 200 must be charged.
For the upkeep of gurdwara itself.
5000 was proposed but 250 to 300 would be charged.

Agreed with you, but Dont have any idea what Govt is doing.

The corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib.

 

[Pakistansdefender]

Agreed with you, but Dont have any idea what Govt is doing.

Told you the first draft ask for 5000 fee which Indians ask to lessen .
Which is still in negotiation process.

 

[shahbaz baig]

Told you the first draft ask for 5000 fee which Indians ask to lessen .
Which is still in negotiation process.

Correction Pakistan never suggested 5000 fee . Infect India demanded visa free condition for yatris from India.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan, India hold technical level talks on Kartarpur corridor
August 31, 2019

FO spokesperson says ‘good progress’ made in discussion. — AFP/File
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Indian delegations on Friday held another round of technical level talks on the Kartarpur corridor.

Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal, while talking to Dawn over the phone, confirmed that the talks were held at the border, more commonly known as the ‘Zero Point’, and that “good progress was made during the discussion”.

A source said that most of the “technical matters” related to construction of the visa-free corridor for Indian Sikhs to visit the Gurdwara in Kartarpur Sahib had been resolved and the project was on schedule for inauguration in time for Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary to be celebrated in November this year.

The technical level talks pertain to the alignment of the corridor and sharing of coordinates of border crossing points and other infrastructure. The two sides would meet shortly for a discussion on the remaining issues, the source said.

FO spokesperson says ‘good progress’ made in discussion

It is important to note that Pakistan had kept the corridor project insulated from the recent tensions with India over annulment of Article 370, subsequent repressive actions in occupied Kashmir and intensified ceasefire violations on the Line of Control. The project had also remained unaffected by the previous episode of escalation between the two sides following the Pulwama attack in February.

Pakistan has taken a number of actions in response to the latest Indian move to end occupied Kashmir’s autonomous status, including downgrading of diplomatic ties and suspension of trade and rail traffic.

There has also been speculation about closure of airspace for Indian aircraft. Dr Faisal had at his weekly media briefing on Thursday said that several options were being studied, but no final decision had been taken.

 

[ghazi52]

LAHORE:

Pakistan on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor in November this year on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak and urged India to show flexibility on the matter.


The announcement came after the third meeting on the Kartarpur Corridor at Attari, India on Wednesday. The meeting discussed the modalities of the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur by using the Kartarpur Corridor.

 

[PaulSimon]

I heard no fee will be charged.

The following news indicates that Pakistan is proposing to charge $20 per head which seems to be very low.

A fee of $2000 per head would be appropriate.

Note that Sikhs are one of the wealthiest communities in India and around the world.



Pakistan imposing 'Jazia' on Sikhs for visiting Kartarpur Gurdwara, says BJP national secretary

Pakistan’s foreign ministry had earlier clarified that it was not an entrance fee

Published: September 15, 2019 12:55Evangeline Elsa, Community Solutions Editor
Pakistan committed to completing Kartarpur Corridor

• Kartarpur pact stalled over pilgrim fees

• India committed to completing Kartarpur corridor: Amit Shah

Dubai: An Indian political leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party has said termed a $20 (Dh73) service fee on Indian pilgrims travelling to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib through the proposed Kartarpur corridor as "jazia" (a tax traditionally sought from non-Muslims).

On Saturday, Tarun Chugh, BJP national secretary and co-incharge of the party in the national capital, alleged that this is yet another attempt by Pakistan to scuttle the scheduled opening of the corridor between the two countries.

On Sunday, Hindustan Times reported that India has shared a draft agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor with Pakistan, New Delhi shared the draft pact after the two sides failed to reach an agreement even after the third round of talks on September 4.


As reported by the Press Trust of India: “At a joint secretary-level meeting between India and Pakistan on September 4, the two sides could not finalise the draft agreement on the corridor, with Pakistan insisting on charging a service fee from Indian pilgrims and not allowing protocol officials to accompany them.”

On Thursday, Islamabad had announced that it would charge pilgrims using the Kartarpur corridor $20 service fee. Pakistan’s foreign ministry had clarified that it was not an entrance fee and was meant to cover 10 per cent to 15 per cent of the costs. India had described it as Pakistan’s “inflexible attitude”.

The PTI reported that in a statement, Chugh said: "The USD 20 fee is nothing but 'jazia' to be charged from Sikhs. The Narendra Modi government will not allow it at any cost."

In India, no fee or charge is taken from any devotees for visiting shrines. Then how can the Government of India accede to a totally unjustified proposal put forth by Pakistan?" the BJP leader asked.

He urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene, saying it is a religious and emotional issue for crores of devotees who follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith.


Chugh said both the governments had acceded to the long-pending demand of Sikhs for opening the Kartarpur corridor which could facilitate Sikhs and others from India to visit and pay obeisance at the historic shrine.

Some Indian Twitter users who shared the Chugh's comments agreed.

What is the Kartarpur corridor?

The Kartarpur corridor connects the Sikh holy shrine of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib, located in Punjab, India, and the holy shrine of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan through a road link.

The 16th century Gurdwara is four kilometres away from International Border. Situated on the banks of river Ravi, the Gurdwara is important for Sikhs as their first guru (spiritual leader) Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years there.

Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is built on the historic site where Guru Nanak settled and assembled a Sikh community after his missionary travels. The present Gurdwara is built on the site where Guru Nanak died, on September 22, 1539.

For decades, Sikh devotees have been demanding that India and Pakistan collaborate to build a corridor linking it with Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district.

Recently, India and Pakistan have been holding talks on opening a corridor for people to make the pilgrimage to a Sikh place of worship in Pakistan.

The Kartarpur corridor, that will allow Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan, will be opened in November to mark the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev.

• More than just a road: What is the Kartarpur corridor?

Earlier this year, Islamabad had also refused to grant New Delhi’s requests to allow 10,000 pilgrims to use the corridor on special occasions along with consular presence in the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. Officials from the two sides had discussed the draft agreement and operationalisation of the corridor and related technical matters in July.

Amid ongoing discussions on the project, tension between the two countries have since New Delhi’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on August 5. Pakistan has downgraded diplomatic ties with India and suspended bilateral trade.


https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/ind...a-says-bjp-national-secretary-1.1568540676808



Ministry: Country's Hajj Cost is Cheapest among ASEAN Countries
Translator:
Dewi Elvia Muthiariny

Editor:
Petir Garda Bhwana
29 January 2019 11:27 WIB
COMMENT




TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Religious Affairs claimed that the country’s Hajj pilgrimage cost (BPIH) is the cheapest among ASEAN countries, said the ministry’s sec-gen of Directorate General of Hajj and Umrah Providence, Ramadhan Harisman, as quoted from the ministry official website, Tuesday, January 29.

“Based on our study during 2015-2018, BPIH Indonesia is the lowest of that of Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Singapore which send the largest congregation in ASEAN. However, the number of Indonesian pilgrimages is larger than the three countries,” Ramadhan said.

According to him, during the past four years, the average cost of hajj pilgrimage in Brunei Darussalam is US$8,738 in 2015, US$8,788 (2016), US$8,422 (2017), and US$8,980 (2018).

The hajj pilgrimage cost in Singapore is averagely above US$5,000, which is in 2015 at US$5,176, US$5,354 (2016), US$4,436 (2017), and US$5,323 (2018), while in Malaysia at US$2,750 (2015), US$2,568 (2016), US$2,254 (2017), and US$2,557 (2018).


“In US dollar, the average cost of BPIH in Indonesia is US$2,717 in 2015, US$2,585 in 2016, US$2,606 in 2017, and US$2,632 in 2018,” Ramadhan noted.

At a glance, BPIH Indonesia is larger than Malaysia’s. However, it is actually cheaper considering a total of US$400 or equal to 1,500 riyal Saudi Arabia is returned to congregations for the living cost in the Holy Land.

The ministry along with the working committee of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission VIII is currently canvassing the BPIH in 1440 Hijr calender or 2019 which is expected to finish in early February.

Ramadhan estimated that the hajj pilgrimage cost in US dollar would likely decrease than that of the previous year. However, in rupiah currency, the cost would be increased due to the weakening rupiah against US dollar, the price hike of avtur, and regulations of Saudi Arabia administration that raises the land transportation cost in the general service fee amounted to 330 riyal Saudi.

“The government, DPR, and the Hajj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) continue to discuss the hajj pilgrimage cost in 2019 within a reasonable limit,” Ramadhan concluded.

BISNIS


https://en.tempo.co/read/1169923/ministry-countrys-hajj-cost-is-cheapest-among-asean-countries

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Muslims pay a tax to Saudi Arabia for visit unsure what India is talking about

 

[CHACHA"G"]

lol on endian and also those Sikhs think 20$ is too much ……. We Muslims pay way more then that in 100s of $$ to KSA …….

 

[ghazi52]

Kartarpur Corridor to be inaugurated on Nov 9

September 16, 2019

As Pakistan completed its 86 percent of the Kartarpur Corridor, Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the project on November 9 three days before the 550th birth anniversary Baba Guru Nanank to be celebrated on November 12.

Talking to media on Monday, Kartarpur Corridor Project Director Atif Majeed said that the prime minister had laid foundation stone of the project last year on November 28 and he will inaugurate the project on November 9.

He said that 5000 Sikh pilgrims will arrive and stay in the initial phase while later 10,000 pilgrims will arrive.

Atif Majeed said that Pakistan’s biggest Gurdwara Baba Guru Nanak comprises of 42 acres of land while Panja Sahib Gurdwara comprises of four acres of land and Nankana Sahib Gurdwara comprises of 14 acres of land.

He further said that the project that was to be completed in three and a half year has been completed in just 10 months, adding that the project’s 86 percent work has been completed and the remaining work will be completed in 45 days.

The work on the project is underway 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, he said and added the pilgrims will start coming from Indian from November 9.

The project director said: “76 immigration counters have been made to cater 5000 Sikh pilgrims from India, adding that 152 counters have been made to cater 10,000 pilgrims.

“The border terminal has been built 350 meters away from the zero-point and the pilgrims will be transported to the Gurdwara through buses where they will be given aiport-style facilities,” Majeed said.

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