Exemptions to pilgrims by Pakistan ploy to revive militancy, say security agencies

SIKH PILGRIMS NOT TO BE ALLOWED TO INDULGE IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES: PAK

NEWDELHI:SECURITY agencies see the last-minute exemptions offered to pilgrims for visa-free access to the gurdwara built at the place where Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak, spent his final years in Pakistan, as part of an elaborate plan amid attempts to revive militancy in Punjab, two officials said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday announced that the pilgrims will not require passports to cross over to Pakistan through the Kartarpur Corridor as long as they possess valid identity cards. He also waived the $20 service fee for pilgrims on the day of the corridor’s inauguration on November 9 and Guru Nanak’s 550th birthday three days later. The pilgrims also no longer need to register 10 days in advance for the pilgrimage

One of the officials cited above

LAHORE : Pakistan on Wednesday said that Sikh pilgrims will not be allowed to indulge in any “political activities” at gurdwaras during their visit to the country to attend the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak and the Kartarpur corridor opening.

“No political activity is allowed at the religious place (gurdwara). It is strictly banned and the action will be taken if any one (Sikh) is involved in political activities during his visit here to take part in religious festivities,” Evacuee

Trust Property Board (ETPB)

said Pakistan’s sudden change of heart “is a clear attempt to offer a false sense of bonhomie to the Sikhs”. “In particular, they want to target the youth,’’ he said on condition of anonymity. chairman Dr Amir Ahmed told PTI. The EPTB is a statutory board that manages religious properties and shrines of Hindus and Sikhs who had migrated to India following the Partition.

When asked about a 4-minutelong video, showing a poster of separatist leaders Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, his military adviser Shabeg Singh and Amrik Singh Khalsa in the backdrop, Ahmed said: “It is not in my knowledge but the government will not tolerate any political activity by the visiting Sikhs.”

Retired Indian Police Service officer Avinash Mohanani, who has been a part of the Intelligence Bureau, said that the move to do away with passports is as clever as sinister. “No passport means there is no record of who went across. Clearly, this appears to be the revival of [Punjab insurgency for separate] Khalistan 2.0 plan.”

The officials cited above said that apart from efforts to revive militancy in Punjab, the agencies are in particular concerned about the movement of fake Indian currency and contraband. They added that the agencies believe that Pakistan’s deep state will leverage the hardline, radicalised Sikh diaspora as a front for the anti-india propaganda at Kartarpur’s Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. The officials cited above said that New Delhi repeatedly raised its concerns about the presence of pro-khalistani elements in Pakistani panels formed for the corridor’s opening in the negotiations before signing the agreement.

They added that India handed over a 23- page dossier to Pakistan on July14 on its concerns.