PM Imran Khan inaugurates Kartarpur Corridor

I asked Narendra Modi to come on this dispute and resolve Kashmir issue, and if Indian government resolve Kashmir issue, we are ready for opening our border

KARTARPUR: Prime Minister Pakistan Imran Khan has fulfilled a long-awaited demand of the Sikh community by inaugurating Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and the Kartarpur Corridor.

The biggest holiest place for the Sikh community, Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, situated in Kartarpur, is 120 km away from Lahore and situated in a small village of Kotheypind at the bank of River Ravi — at a distance of only 4 km from Pakistan-India border.

This village is included in Shakargarh tehsil of Narowal district and the beautiful white Gurdwara looks elegantly placed between the grasslands.

While addressing at Kartarpur Corridor inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Sikh community and those who worked day and night for the construction and opening of the temple.

“I did not know my government was so efficient. Want to congratulate them again for completing the complex in record time,” the Prime Minister added.

Commenting on Sidhu’s speech, the Prime Minister said Sidhu spoke from the heart today. He said we do not know the history of Gurdwara before a year, but when I know the importance of it, I have opened the doors of Kartarpur Sahab for the Sikh community’.

He said, “the Gurdwara’s importance is like Madina’s importance for Muslims. How we will feel if we see Madina from four kilometers away but we cannot go there.” “Now the Sikh community can visit Gurdwara without any visa,” he informed.

Regarding opening the eastern borders, the Prime Minister said, “when I came into power, I asked Narendra Modi to come on this dispute and resolve Kashmir issue, and if Indian government resolve the Kashmir issue, we are ready for opening our border.”

He said more than 80 million Kashmiris are passing their lives in curfew without any facility of internet and mobile phone. More than 900,000 Indian forces had been deputed in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.

“Why the Indian government is not giving self-determination right to the Kashmiri people according to the UN Security Council resolution,” he asked. Why the Indian troops held the Indian Kashmiris like animals. It is not a territorial issue now but it is now a humanitarian issue for the world.

“If the Indian Prime Minister is listening to me right know,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “only we can create peace with Justice and injustice always creates hatreds.”

Addressing the inauguration ceremony Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said it was a historic moment. “Imran Khan has created history with Kartarpur Corridor,” Qureshi said. “Kartarpur has been opened for Sikhs from all over world.”

Qureshi said, “the doors of Kartarpur Sahab are open for the Sikh community.” He added that the message of Guru Nanak was of peace.

The foreign minister said we need to see today who was sowing the seed of hate in the region. He congratulated Prime Minister Imran Khan on the opening of the historic corridor.

The foreign minister reminded the people that November 9 was also the day when the Berlin Wall fell which changed the map of Europe.

Qureshi said, “If the Kartarpur corridor can open then LoCs temporary closure can also end.” He added that just how the doors of Kartarpur have opened the doors of Srinagar’s Jama Mosque should also open so Muslims can pray the Friday prayers.

He congratulated the Sikh all over the world on opening of the Kartarpur Corridor and welcomed the Sikh pilgrims present at their holy site.

It has been said in the agreement reached between Pakistan and India that daily five thousand Sikh Yatris (pilgrims) will be allowed to visit the Gurdwara through the Corridor.

To facilitate the Sikh Yatris, the government has installed 130 counters, where their passports will be confirmed or scanned, and permit will be verified.

Pilgrims will be charged $20 each under service charges. However, they will be exempted from paying the charges on the day of the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.

After their immigration process is completed, the pilgrims will reach the Gurdwara by bus through the 4km-long Corridor.

Prominent leader and MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu, Indian Punjab Chief Minister, former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Indian Actors attended the opening of Kartarpur Corridor and 550^th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.