ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said the Kartarpur Corridor reflected his government’s commitment to minority rights and interfaith harmony.
On the second anniversary of the Kartarpur Corridor, Imran Khan described it as a corridor of interfaith harmony that allows India’s Sikh community special access to one of their holiest sites.
In a series of tweets, he also bashed the Indian government for the systematic persecution of Kashmiris, Indian Muslims and other minorities, which, he said, was the greatest hurdle towards regional peace.
“Our commitment comes at a time when we are witnessing a descent into systematic persecution of Kashmiris, Indian Muslims and other minorities by the ideological Hindutva BJP govt of India. This Indian government’s mindset is the greatest hurdle towards peace in our region today,” he wrote.
Our commitment comes at a time when we are witnessing a descent into systematic persecution of Kashmiris, Indian Muslims & other minorities by the ideological Hindutva BJP govt of India. This Indian govt’s mindset is the greatest hurdle towards peace in our region today.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 9, 2021
The corridor was inaugurated by PM Imran Khan on November 9, 2018, allowing visa-free access to Sikh pilgrims from India to visit their holy shrine.
The purpose behind the establishment of the corridor was to facilitate Sikh pilgrims and was in line with the government’s efforts to promote religious tourism.
Sikh pilgrims wait for Modi govt to reopen Kartarpur Corridor
As the birth anniversary of the Founder of Sikh Religion Baba Guru Nanak is approaching, thousands of Sikhs pilgrims still await the reopening of Kartarpur Corridor by the Indian government as Covid-related restrictions have already been eased across the country.
Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent last 18 years of his life at the Kartarpur Gurdwara, which is considered to be the most sacred shrine of the Sikh religion.
Since 1947, the Sikh community of India and across the world was desirous of access to the gurdwara from India because it is just about four-five kilometers from the Pakistan-India border. The Kartarpur Corridor is functioning under an MoU signed between Pakistan and India under which 5,000 yatrees are allowed to enter from Indian side on a daily basis.
However, the facility was closed down in March 2020 following the pandemic. With the improving Covid situation, the Sikh community, as well as the government of Pakistan, have been repeatedly asking the Indian government to restore the facility.
On 6 Nov 2021, follow up meeting of PSGPC was held at Nankana Sahib to review the arrangements of the Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan on the eve of the “Birthday of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji” scheduled from 17-27 Nov 2021 pic.twitter.com/78vAYwJ68j
— Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (@parbhandak) November 6, 2021