India has conveyed to Pakistan its readiness to sign the Kartarpur Corridor Agreement on Wednesday despite Islamabad’s insistence on charging a $20 fee on every pilgrim using the newly constructed facility to access Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the last resting place of Guru Nanak. “It is a matter of disappointment that while understanding has been reached on most of the elements for facilitating the visit of pilgrims from India, Pakistan continue to insist on levying a service fee of $20 per pilgrim per visit. Government has consistently urged Pakistan that in deference to the wishes of the pilgrims, it should not levy such a fee,” the external affairs ministry said in a statement to announce the deal. Last week, after Pakistan sent the final draft of the agreement, India had publicly requested Islamabad to reconsider the fee, saying this was the only point of disagreement left on the pilgrimage. Pakistan, knowing full well that it would be difficult for India to go back in the eleventh hour on its commitment to facilitate the pilgrimage, refused to give in.

Source: The Telegraph October 21, 2019 20:15 UTC