Batala: Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday expressed hope that Pakistan would eventually understand the Sikh sentiment and tradition, , which bars the community from paying to visit gurdwaras and temples, and would, and would waive off 20 dollars fee imposed on Indian pilgrims visiting Sri Kartarpur Sahib.
 

“Even Emperor Akbar had lifted the jaziya tax on non-Muslims, showing respect for secular sentiment”, he pointed out, urging Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan to reconsider the 20 dollars fee. The Chief Minister did not find the comparison between this fee and the money charges by Saudi Arabia from Haj pilgrims to be apt in the present case, given the Sikhi tradition.

Welcoming the signing of agreement for the opening of Kartarpur Corridor between India and Pakistan, which permits 5000 pilgrims to visit the historic gurdwara every day, from sunrise to sunset, either in groups or individually, Capt Amarinder said that NRI or OCI card holders would also be allowed to visit the gurdwara via the Corridor, which pilgrims can also travel on foot.

Capt Amarinder reiterated that he would personally lead an all-party delegation, along with former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his wife, as the first jatha travelling through the Corridor. All MLAs, cutting across party lines, as well as SGPC members, had been invited by his government to join the jatha, said the Chief Minister, adding that he did not believe in politicization of such a sacred event. 

Capt Amarinder, along with his Cabinet colleagues, earlier reviewed the progress of the various projects undertaken by the State Government in connection with the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of the first Sikh Guru.

He also laid the foundation stone of the 109-km long circular ‘Prakash Purb Marg’ from Sultanpur Lodhi to Dera Baba Nanak, to be constructed by the state government at a cost of Rs 103 crore, besides announcing a new Rs 13 crore state-of-the-art bus stand for Batala.