ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (NNN-APP) – Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, inaugurated a corridor, to allow Indian Sikh pilgrims, to visit a holy shrine in Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province.
The Kartarpur Corridor was inaugurated at a largely-attended gathering of Sikhs from India and several other countries, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Sikh spiritual leader, Guru Nanak Dev.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Khan called for cordial relations with India and said, both countries can address the problem of poverty. He said, they can resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue.
Earlier, Khan said, the inauguration of the corridor is also a testimony of the Pakistani government’s commitment towards peace of the region.
“Today Pakistan has not only opened its border but also hearts for the Sikh Community. This unprecedented gesture of goodwill from the government of Pakistan is a reflection of deep respect for Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, and religious sentiments of the Sikh Community.
“The road to prosperity of region and bright future of our coming generation lies in peace. We believe that interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence will provide us an opportunity to work for larger interests of people of the sub-continent,” Khan said.
Pakistani Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Hussain Qureshi told the opening ceremony that, Pakistan will welcome Sikh pilgrims from across the world.
Former Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who attended the opening ceremony, described it as a “historic day” for the Sikh community.
“I hope our relations improve enormously as a result of this beginning. It is a big moment,” Singh told reporters as he arrived for the ceremony.
The Kartarpur Corridor is located nearly four kilometres from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of India’s state of Punjab.
As a special gesture on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, Pakistan waived pilgrims from using passport for the celebrations.– NNN-APP