‘Kartarpur corridor opening is historic’

PM Imran Khan will perform the groundbreaking ceremony today

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has said it is a historic day for Pakistan and India as Prime Minister Imran Khan will do the groundbreaking for the Kartarpur corridor. Khan and his Indian counterpart have made history by agreeing to open the corridor.

Punjab governor made these remarks during a joint media talk with Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday. Sidhu reached Lahore to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor on Wednesday (today).

Speaking to the media in Punjabi, the governor said the Sikh community around the world had long demanded of both governments to open the Kartarpur Corridor so that Sikh devotees could perform their rituals with ease. “It took 73 years to make this dream a reality and all credit goes to Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi who accepted Pakistan’s offer to open Kartarpur corridor for Sikh devotees.” Sarwar expressed hope that this initiative would help increase people-to-people contact between two neighbouring countries and bring them closer together.

Sarwar said that next year had even greater importance as the Sikh community would celebrate the 550the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. He promised Sidhu that he would spend a complete day at Kartarpur next year and celebrate the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak with the Sikh community. “We will invite Sikh devotees from around the globe to participate in the 550th anniversary of Guru Nanak,” the governor maintained.

Speaking to the media, Sidhu said Prime Minister Imran Khan had won the hearts of 120 million Sikhs by giving his nod to Kartarpur corridor initiative. He thanked the PM and Governor Sarwar for giving him respect. He pointed out that the Sikh community had been struggling to make this dream a reality for the past 73 years. “I hope that this ‘corridor of peace’ will offer infinite possibilities. It will bring both countries closer. People-to-people contact will increase and new avenues of cooperation will open,” he underscored. The cricketer-turned-politician added that Imran Khan had given great happiness to Sikhs around the world.

Sidhu highlighted that every Sikh had been praying for the opening of this corridor and it is the miracle of Baba Guru Nanak that it has happened in just three months (of the PTI government taking power). “It is like rain in a desert where all hope was once dead,” he maintained.

Sidhu reached the provincial capital by the crossing Wagah Border. He visited the Lahore Press Club and was later welcomed by Sarwar at the Governor House. Expressing his sentiments and love for Lahore, Sidhu said he cannot forget the respect and hospitality which Pakistan, especially Lahorites, extended to him during his visit. During the media interaction, he recited various couplets, highlighting good wishes for Pakistan and peace in the region.

Following Sidhu, a 15-member delegation of media men also reached through Wagah Border to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor. Prime Minister Imran Khan is performing the ceremony on Wednesday (today).