ISLAMABAD (DNA) – Pakistan has struck an agreement with India on the Kartarpur Corridor after tough negotiations with the last sticking point being the $20 service fee – that was repeatedly denied by India previously, but later agreed to it reluctantly.

The first-of-its-kind agreement aims to facilitate Sikh pilgrims from India in visiting the shrine of Baba Guru Nanak – one of Sikhism’s holiest sites in Pakistan where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, died in the 16th Century – in Kartarpur, Pakistan without obtaining any visa but a permit with a validity of one day from dawn till dusk.

According to the agreement, “The government of Pakistan will charge USD 20 per pilgrim per visit as service charges.”

“5,000 pilgrims shall be permitted to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on any given day, with an additional provision for more pilgrims on special days including Gurpurab, Baisakhi, etc., subject to capacity.”

This means that the service charges of $20 will generate revenue for Pakistan and promote tourism from visitors and pilgrims from other countries as well.

Considering the agreement, the amount of revenue Pakistan can generate sums up to $100,000 every day and since the corridor will remain open 365 days of the year, it can potentially generate a direct income of USD36.5 million i.e. about Rs5.55 billion per annum.

The government’s decision to open Kartarpur Corridor and signing border agreement with India for Sikh community will open vast opportunities for religious tourism, said Foreign Office Spokesperson Mohammad Faisal.

The Sikh community from Europe, India and other countries would get to enjoy visiting their religious places in Pakistan, he said while speaking to a private news channel program.

According to foreign ministry sources, Sikh pilgrims and travelers from countries other than India will be able to travel across Pakistan on the tourist visa.

“It was very, very difficult and tough negotiations with India, because of the history we have, it is never easy, it is never simple,” Faisal had said after signing the agreement on Oct 24, while praising efforts of his team in having successful negotiations.

Faisal had said the $20 was a service charge, not a fee, and pilgrims would just have to present their passports, which would be quickly scanned, to cross in.

Pakistan has been working out a mechanism for charging the $20 fee from the pilgrims.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the corridor on November 9, after which visa free link between Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur and Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Punjab will open for the pilgrims.