Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, along with Sikh yatrees, installs golden “palki” at Gurdwara Sahib. PHOTO: APP
On special instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Punjab’s Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar visited the Kartarpur Corridor project site to inspect all arrangements on Monday. He was accompanied by Punjab Minister for Religious Affairs and Auqaf Syed Saeedul Hassan Shah Bukhari
They visited Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Complex, Zero Line at Kartarpur Border. They also inspected the immigration centre, shuttle bus service and other facilities which have been developed in the recording period of one year.
Ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims: PM
Sarwar, along with with Sikh yatrees, also installed gold made "palki" at Gurdwara Sahib, whereas officials concerned, including Project Directed Kartarpur Corridor Brig Atif Majeed and DC Narowal Dr Waheed Asghar, briefed the governor about various arrangements.
Speaking to the media, Sarwar said despite lame Indian excuses and propagandas, Pakistan has completed the Kartarpur Corridor project within the stipulated time. He added the Sikh community across the world paid tribute to the government for completing this project.
He said Gurdwara Sahib Kartarpur was a gift to the Sikh community across the world by Pakistan, adding that 5,000 yatrees from India could visit daily after the inauguration of the corridor by Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 9.
The governor said he personally inspected all arrangements for Sikh yatrees from Zero Line to Darbar Sahib, whereas the FWO and other officials deserve appreciation for putting in place effective measures to facilitate Sikh pilgrims.
He said that owing to Pakistan's clear and principled stance, India has also completed this project by its side.
The Governor said tensions between India and Pakistan prevailed due to the current situation in Kashmir. He added the issue should be resolved through dialogue, not war.
He added if India wanted to impose war, then Pakistan would give a befitting response. Sarwar continued the corridor project could help bring both countries closer, he maintained.
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To a question, he said JUI-F chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman's representatives had signed an agreement with the government before the Azadi march but were now violating the same. He stated that despite this development, the government had no objection if they wanted to continue their sit-in. He warned, though, that nobody would be allowed to take the law into their own hands and create unrest.
Those who wanted to create unrest in the country would be foiled, he said. The governor added the next general elections would be held on time in 2023 as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would complete its constitutional tenure.
To another query, he said the government had no link with the cases of National Accountability Bureau against opposition and the government would implement the orders of courts pertaining to such cases, he asserted.
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Speaking to The Express Tribune, a Sikh pilgrim from the United Kingdom, Jagjeet Singh, appreciated the remarkable development being done by the Pakistan government. He highlighted that he visited the same place in 2014, but the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf government, especially Prime Minister Imran Khan, had changed the face of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.
Another Sikh pilgrim, Sukh Dev Singh, said the Sikh community of the world was thankful to the PM and Indian government for making this dream come true. “Although the political leadership of India has strongly condemned Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, the Sikh community is with him.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2019.
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