(FE)
Barely 48 hours before the first batch of pilgrims, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, takes the corridor to Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan’s Army contradicted an offer made earlier by their Prime Minister Imran Khan that passports will not be required for Sikh devotees from India.
Pakistan Army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said passports will be needed, and there will be “no compromise on security or sovereignty”. India had earlier asked the Pakistan government to clarify whether Khan’s offer, which he posted on his official Twitter account, has been operationalised. On Thursday, New Delhi pointed to the “conflicting reports” from Pakistan and said they will go by the pact signed between the two countries last month — it says “passports” will be needed but not visa.
With the corridor opening Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs’ official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar accused Pakistan of creating “confusion” at the “last moment”. “Conflicting reports are coming from Pakistan. Sometimes they say passport is needed and sometimes they say it is not required. As of now, there is a bilateral agreement which specified required documents,” he said.
