Pakistan confirms July 14 for Kartarpur Corridor talks at Wagah

The confirmation of date comes after India recently suggested talks could be held between July 11 and July 14.

According to a Pakistani government release, the Indian side has been requested to convey the composition of its delegation.

"Pakistan remains committed to expedited progress on the matter to ensure that the corridor is operationalized in time for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak in November 2019," the Pakistani foreign office statement said in Islamabad.

Displaying commitment for the Kartarpur corridor, India on June 29 offered fresh dates for talks seeking to break the deadlock.

The first round of parleys were held on March 14 on the Indian side of Attari-Wagah border.

The second round of talks originally scheduled to be held on April 2 was deferred by New Delhi after Pakistan government had appointed pro Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla in a panel associated with Kartarpur corridor.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre for speedy construction of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor and addressing long-standing issues related to the sentiments of the Sikh Sangat.

Addressing mediapersons in Chandigarh, the SAD president said the Union government had expeditiously started work on a world class and state-of-the-art passenger terminal building complex as well as an all-weather bridge on the Ravi river to facilitate unrestricted and easy flow of pilgrims. As much as 50 acres of land had been acquired for the project worth Rs 290 crore. The Passenger terminal building will be completed by October, 2019.

While appreciating the speed with which the Kartarpur corridor was coming up on Indian territory, the SAD president said it was unfortunate that the Pakistan government was indulging in double speak.

"Pakistan is mouthing platitudes about the work it is taking up to make the Kartarpur Corridor a reality but the reality is that it is constructing a mere causeway on its side instead of a 320-metre bridge. Pakistan has put a cap on number of devotees to 700 per day and that too for restricted number of days per year. Entry fee and permit costs proposed by Pakistan for pilgrims are also very high at Rs 1,600 per person on normal days and Rs 8,000 per person on special days. Pakistan also proposes to restrict this facility for only Indian nationals and People of Indian Origin (NRIs) cannot access it," he said.

Stating that all these conditions were unreasonable, Mr Sukhbir Badal urged the Pakistan government to create a conducive environment. 'Unreasonable restrictions will mean that the Sikh ardas for Khulla darshan deedare will remain unfulfilled. The Pakistan government should waive off the permit and entry fee for devotees and allow entry of 5,000 devotees on normal days and 15,000 on special days.