Indian Punjab's CM declines invite to attend groundbreaking of Kartarpur corridor
- By Web Desk -
- Nov 26, 2018
ISLAMABAD: After Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has also declined invitation of Pakistan to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur border corridor on November 28, ARY News reported.
Pakistan’s decision to open Kartarpur corridor has been seen in the global circle as a benign act and breaking the ice between the rival neighbouring countries. However, callous response at the other end has raised eyebrows.
Giving an absurd excuse, Amarinder Singh said he would visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib only after the tension between both the countries were eased.
“Always cherished dream to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Regret to decline invite of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for Kartarpur Sahib Corridor ceremony,” he said.
He also hoped that Prime Minister Imran Khan would put Pakistan as well as India on a path to peace.
Read More: ‘I am thankful to PM Imran Khan for Kartarpur border decision’: Sidhu
According to details, Prime Minister Imran Khan will perform the groundbreaking for the opening of Kartarpur border crossing on November 28.
Earlier this week, India endorsed Pakistan’s proposition to open Kartarpur border crossing to facilitate Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, situated barely three kilometers from the Gurdaspur border with India.
Pakistan welcomed the Indian move and conveyed its decision to open the Kartarpur corridor.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday invited India’s Sushma Swaraj, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, and former cricketer and Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu to attend the groundbreaking of the Kartarpur border corridor.
Responding to the invite in a series of tweets, Sushma Swaraj thanked her Pakistani counterpart Qureshi for inviting her to attend the ceremony, but she said she was unable to travel to Kartarpur border on the scheduled date.
She said the Indian side would be represented by her two colleagues, Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri.