NAROWAL: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor; a border corridor between Pakistan and India, connecting the Sikh shrines of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.
The corridor is being opened on the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji beginning from Tuesday, to facilitate entry of Sikh pilgrims from India into Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Narowal.
Addressing the ceremony, the premier termed the corridor a gift for the Sikh community around the world -as they can now reach their holy place within no time- while adding that love and tolerance are the two traits that can bring lasting change in the sub-continent and around the world.
“True leaders unite the people of all religion, colour, creed and caste and fight all elements that divide them for greatness (of nations) lies in unity,” said the premier.
Imran Khan told the huge crowd that soon after becoming the PM, he approached his Indian counterpart and urged him to cooperate with his government in opening new avenues for the people of two countries in order to rise up to the challenge of rising poverty in Pakistan and India but to no avail.
The premier maintained that he reminded Modi that Pakistan and India can both benefit from mutual trade and tourism if they resolve the Kashmir issue amicably but the Modi government took a step backward and illegally annexed the disputed territory.
The PM also paid homage to Frontier Works Organization (FWO) for completing the project in record time.
‘Sikh Community will never forget this favour by Imran Khan’
Earlier, while, addressing the ceremony, former Indian cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu paid tribute to PM Imran Khan for “acting as a brave and courageous leader” by taking this historic step.
“The Sikh community is know for its bravery and steadfastness and I am speaking on behalf of the whole community, not only thank you but assure you that we will never forget this great act of yours,” said Sidhu.
He was of the view that Imran Khan showed exemplary courage by taking this huge step without thinking about political repercussions like other political leaders.
The landmark project initiated on the directives of Imran Khan as a peace-building measure for the region and to promote interfaith harmony, is entirely funded and executed by Pakistan as a gift for Sikh community.
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Former Indian PM Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister of Indian Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh and a huge number of Sikh pilgrims have arrived at the holy site for the historic ceremony.
Punjab: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Former PM Dr.Manmohan Singh at inauguration of the Integrated Check Post of the #KartarpurCorridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. pic.twitter.com/xptNdQ0JPX
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2019
First 'Jatha' of Sikh pilgrims from India arrive in Pakistan through the #KartarpurCorridor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Integrated Check Post of the #KartarpurCorridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, today. pic.twitter.com/iZQLLaTKA7
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2019
Earlier, Indian PM Modi inaugurated the Integrated Check Post of Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Indian Punjab’s Gurdaspur district.
He thanked his Pakistan PM Imran Khan for respecting the sentiments of the people of India and said that the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor has “brought us immense happiness”.
A historic step
Abiding by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s pledge, the requirement of passport and fees of $20 have been waived by Pakistan.
The foundation stone of Kartarpur Corridor to link Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Narowal district with India’s Gurdaspur district was laid by PM Imran Khan, on Nov 28, 2018.
The step highlights Pakistan’s efforts for promoting religious harmony and peace in the region. The Islamabad’s move to open the Kartarpur Corridor for the facilitation of the Sikh community is being widely appreciated by the Sikh leaders.
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The officials of Pakistan and India in a historic event on October 24 signed an agreement for opening Kartarpur Corridor.
Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Director General South Asia and SAARC Dr. Muhammad Faisal and India’s Joint Secretary External Affairs SCL Das signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries at Kartarpur Zero Point.
In the agreement, Pakistan has kept a service fee of $20 for Sikh pilgrims visiting the Corridor from the Indian side, unchanged.
