Pakistan's coordination of Kartarpur inaugural event half-hearted: Indian govt sources

The Government sources ahead of the inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor have claimed that Pakistan's coordination regarding the entire inaugural ceremony has been half-hearted. They have also highlighted the issue of the delegates facing threats from Khalistani groups, to which Pakistan has given assurances of their safety.

New Delhi: Just two days ahead of the inauguration of the much-awaited Kartarpur Corridor, government sources have claimed that Pakistan's coordination regarding the entire inaugural ceremony has been very lukewarm.

Despite sending a list of more than 500 dignitaries which includes the name of former PM Manmohan Singh and Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh, many concerns regarding their security has not been addressed so far.

Government sources have also highlighted to Pakistan about the delegates facing threats from Khalistani groups. To which Pakistan has given assurances of their safety.

Meanwhile, sources have revealed that Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu is unlikely to be given political clearance to visit Pakistan separately. Though it also mentioned that those visit with jattha doesn't need clearance.

Government sources have revealed that after numerous reminders to Islamabad, only today they have allowed members of the Indian High Commission to visit the site to oversee the preparations.

Launching a sharp attack on Pakistan PM Imran Khan's announcement of waiving off pilgrimage fee via his Twitter handle, government sources have said that agreements can't be amended through tweets.

For now, the pilgrims visiting the Kartarpur don't need to pay $20 fee on November 9th and 12th. As November 9th is the inauguration day of the Kartarpur Corridor and November 12 is the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

The $20 fee from pilgrims has been a matter of contention between both sides during the entire negotiations. While Pakistan claims that it will be used for the maintenance of the corridor, the Indian side has been voicing against it. Though, despite its opposition, the Indian side went ahead with it as Pakistan refused to bow down.

Emphasising that the Kartarpur initiative came from Pakistani army not from Pakistani PM, government sources said that Pakistan might want to leverage the separatist movement in Punjab.

Sources even said that it has taken note of the pictures of terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale used by Pakistan in the video released on Kartarpur Corridor and it has raised its concerns with Pakistani officials.