New Delhi, Nov 7 (UNI) The much awaited Kartarpur Corridor will be inaugurated on November 9 and the first lot of pilgrims will visit Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan’s Punjab province and pay obeisance.
Among others former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and two Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri are likely to be part of the first batch of pilgrims.
Meanwhile, media reports contradicted Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and quoted Pakistan Army as stating that Indian pilgrims will need passport to visit Kartarpur.
Maj Gen Ghafoor had said on Wednesday, “As we have a security link, the entry would be a legal one under a permit on a passport-based identity. There will be no compromise on security or sovereignty”.
On November 1, Mr Imran Khan has announced in a tweet that he had waived two requirements relating to passport and registering ten days in advance for Sikhs visiting Kartarpur from India.
The Kartarpur Corridor connects the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan–the final resting place of Guru Nanak Devji -with Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur of Punjab state.
The corridor is likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Indian side and by his Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan across the border.
Union Home Minister and BJP chief Amit Shah on Wednesday said with the opening of Kartarpursahib corridor on Guru Nanak Devji’s 550th birth anniversary, Parkash Purab, the Prime Minister would be helping to realise the ‘long cherished’ dream of millions.
“On 9th (of November), let us witness history being created as PM Narendra Modi dedicates this corridor to the nation,” Mr Shah tweeted.
He also has said, “Kartarpursahib Corridor is a historic achievement that generations of devotees will remember. It will find special mention in the annals of history”.
Addressing a special session of the Punjab Assembly to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, Dr Manmohan Singh said in Chandigarh, “Peace and harmony is the only way forward to ensure a prosperous future. The Kartarpur model may be replicated in future too for a lasting resolution of conflicts”.
