Pakistan recently launched the registration portal (prakashpurb550.mha.gov.in) where pilgrims will have to register themselves before coming over to visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. The pilgrims will be informed about the confirmation of registration 3-4 days prior to the date of travel via E-mail and SMS. An E Travel Authorization will be generated for them.
In order to travel to Pakistan, pilgrims will be required to carry that E Travel Authorization, along with their valid passports.
It is expected that Pakistan will earn a sum of about $365,000,000 in a year from these pilgrims visiting Darbar Sahib, which is considered as one of the holiest sites in Sikhism as this was the resting place of Guru Nanak Dev.
Each day only 5,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit the holy site and every pilgrim will need to pay $20 as service fee which will fetch Pakistan $100,000 (roughly Rs. 71,00,000) each day. For Pakistan it’ll be Rs. 1.55 crores (Pakistani rupees).
Annually, this fee that has been imposed on pilgrims will fetch Pakistan Rs. 555 crores (Pakistani rupees) which will be another source of income of foreign currency for Pakistan. As we know Pakistan is under a severe financial crisis and even on the verge of bankruptcy as per a high ranked government official.
Recently, India did sign a pact with Pakistan which ensured smooth travel of pilgrims via Kartarpur Corridor, India has asked Pakistani government to review their decision of levying the charge.
Last month, India and Pakistan came to an agreement wherein Indian pilgrims will not need a visa to visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib using Kartarpur Corridor. In addition, people holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card will be able to visit the holy site.
Even though it was decided that only 5,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit the holy site every day, additional pilgrims shall be allowed on the count of ‘special occasions’, subject to increase in capacity of the site by the Pakistani administration.
Both the countries decided that Kartarpur Corridor will remain operational throughout the year, seven days a week, and pilgrims will be given a choice to either visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib as or group or alone.
