ISLAMABAD: Some 20 million Sikhs residing in India waited for more 70 years for consensus on Kartarpur border crossing, hoping that the administrations in New Delhi and Islamabad would ultimately make it possible for them to perform their pilgrimage to the last resting place of Sikhism’s founder, Guru Nanak, without any visa restrictions.
That moment arrived for them on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the passage in a historic ceremony. Former cricket star and currently a provincial minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu was widely seen as an unofficial ambassador of peace between the two nuclear-armed nations and, with his longstanding relation with cricket legend and friend Imran Khan, there was much optimism in the air regarding people-to-people contact between the two rival nations and the dynamics of their bilateral relationship to change in the coming weeks and months.
“Whenever history of Kartarpur will be written, your name will be inscribed on its opening page,” said the jubilant Indian star while pointing to Khan as he delivered his colorful speech at the ceremony.
Khan reciprocated by lauding Sidhu’s peace efforts and renewed his call to India to hold Islamabad’s hand of friendship. He noted that both countries had stockpiles of mass destruction weapons and war was not a rational option for them.
The corridor, once complete, will allow Sikhs to travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib on special permits. The construction plan includes a border terminal, medical facilities, bridge on river Ravi, amenities block, a dual carriage road, hotel accommodation for pilgrims, and remodeling of the Gurdwara (shrine) complex, all of which will be done under a framework agreed in 1999 that had since been gathering dust.
Wednesday’s ceremony was also attended by hundreds of emotional and enthusiastic Sikh pilgrims from India, many of whom were undertaking this journey to Pakistan for the first time. The Pakistani authorities hope to finish the construction work on the corridor before Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary in 2019, hoping to make the spiritual journey for Sikh pilgrims more convenient in the years to come.
Kartarpur Corridor: A spiritual journey made easy
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Kartarpur Corridor: A spiritual journey made easy
- The corridor construction will be carried out under a framework developed in 1999
- Sikh pilgrims have deeply praised Pakistani authorities for their decision to build the border crossing
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia discuss regional situation, upcoming engagements
- Ishaq Dar and Prince Faisal bin Farhan agree to stay in contact amid Middle East tensions
- The two officials speak ahead of Trump’s Feb. 19 Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar discussed regional developments and upcoming international engagements with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a phone call on Saturday, according to the foreign office in Islamabad.
The conversation took place against the backdrop of deepening strategic ties between Islamabad and Riyadh. In September last year, the two countries signed a bilateral defense agreement that formalized decades of military cooperation and included a commitment to view aggression against one as an attack on both countries.
“Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation today with the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation, forthcoming international engagements, and agreed to remain in close contact,” it added.
The two officials spoke at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the conflict in Gaza far from resolution amid ongoing ceasefire violations by Israel.
The region has also been on edge as the United States pursues nuclear negotiations with Iran, prompting regional states to call for diplomacy rather than new military flare-ups.
Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are participants in US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, which is scheduled to meet on Feb. 19 in Washington.
Islamabad and Riyadh have consistently coordinated positions over regional and global issues.
The foreign ministry did not provide further details of the discussion.
