Pak plays hardball on Kartarpur

New Delhi, February 14

Pakistan’s affability to opening a corridor to the Kartarpur shrine has given way to diplomatic haggling as India ans Pakistan begin the process of finalising four critical aspects. Days after India notified Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district as a crossing point to the Kartarpur gurdwara, Pakistan has proposed an alternative crossing point.

Pakistan is to send its team to India for modalities next month. Indian Foreign Office spokesperson Ravish Kumar expects the technical teams of both countries to take a call on the crossing point. However, India is yet to hear from Pakistan proposing any such meeting.

Both sides are aiming to fast-track the implementation of the project ahead of the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak in November. This entails a consensus on the exact crossing point for pilgrims, security procedures, issuance of identity cards and the corridor’s opening and closing time.

 India had earlier proposed February 26 and March 7 for the  visit of the Pakistan delegation to finalise the modalities. The decision to build the corridor — from Dera Baba Nanak district to the International Border — was taken by the Union Cabinet on November 22. — TNS