Both Indian and Pakistani sides inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor in presence of their respective Prime Ministers
The Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Pakistan – Imran Khan have inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor of their respective sides on Saturday, i.e., November 9, 2019, paving the way for Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Punjab Province of Pakistan.
The Kartarpur Corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab District of India.
Speaking at a gathering at Dera Baba Nayak, Modi said, “It will be easy to pay obeisance at the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara after the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor.”
Modi tweeted, “The Kartarpur corridor will deepen the connect between lakhs of pilgrims and Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is my honour to have inaugurated the corridor today.”
The Kartarpur corridor will deepen the connect between lakhs of pilgrims and Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 9, 2019
It is my honour to have inaugurated the corridor today. pic.twitter.com/hsoXkAuBMu
PM Modi also inaugurated the passenger terminal building of the corridor on the Indian side, also known as Integrated Check Post (ICP), where pilgrims will get clearance to travel through the newly built 4.5 km-long corridor. Inaugurating the Corridor, Modi flagged off the first lot of 562 Indian pilgrims led by Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Harpreet.
The first batch of pilgrims included the Chief Minister of Punjab – Amarinder Singh, Former Chief Minister of Punjab – Parkash Singh Badal, President of Shiromani Akali Dal – Sukhbir Singh Badal. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee members and all the 117 MLAs and MPs from Punjab were also part of the delegation.
In addition, the Former Prime Minister of India – Manmohan Singh, along with this wife, also visited the sacred shrine. Cricketer turned politician – Navjot Singh Sidhu also visited the Darbar sahib Gurudwara after receiving a special invitation from Imran Khan’s Office.
Besides, PM Modi also thanked Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan for taking the step and opening the corridor. He also thanked the Pakistani workers who worked to help build their portion of the corridor.
Addressing the Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Shikhaar Masiahan, about 8 kms. from the Dera Baba Nanak Gurdwara, Modi said, “I thank Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan miaji. He understood India’s feelings on the Kartarpur corridor issue, gave respect and, keeping in view those feelings, worked accordingly.”
“I also want to thank the workers of Pakistan who worked at a fast pace to help in building the corridor on their side,” added Modi.
On the other hand, Imran Kha also welcomed the Sikh pilgrim from India.
Imran Khan said, “First of all, I congratulate the Sikh community on the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak and welcome you all.”
He also added, “I salute you all. I had no idea you were so efficient. That means we can do so much more.”
Talking about Sikhs, he said, “I am always so happy to see the Sikh community who have come here. God lives in the hearts of all of us. All the messengers who have come and gone only ever brought two messages, that of peace and justice.”
It is to be noted that Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony of the Corridor, took the opportunity to thank Imran Khan for his efforts in opening the Corridor. Simultaneously, he also said he wants to thank PM Modi by sending hugs in a “Munnabhai MBBS-style hug”
Speaking at the ceremony at Pakistan, Navjot Singh Sidhu said, “It is the first time since partition that the boundaries have been dismantled. No one can deny my friend Imran Khan’s contribution. I thank Modi ji also for it.”
Thanking Imran Khan, he said, “Four generations of Sikhs were deprived; for the first time a government has [opened access to Kartarpur] for 140 million Sikhs. Alexander won the world through fear and terror. Imran Khan you are the Alexander who has won the world’s hearts and you rule them all.”
Expressing gratitude to Modi, Sidhu said, “I am thanking Modi ji also, it doesn’t matter if we have political differences, doesn’t matter if my life is dedicated to the Gandhi family. I am sending a Munnabhai MBBS-style hug to you Modi sahab for this.”
Also to mention, Manmohan Singh said that the Corridor is a first step in normalising the tensed relations between the 2 neighbours. Returning from Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak, he said, “It was a good beginning to normalise the relations between the two countries [India and Pakistan].”
For the records, India and Pakistan have signed an agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor on October 24, 2019, to allow Indian Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Punjab Province of Pakistan. As of now, pilgrims from India have to take a bus to Lahore to get to Kartarpur, which is a 125 kms. journey.
As per the agreement, the pilgrims would come in the morning and return in the evening same day. Indian pilgrims will be allowed to visit the holy shrine everyday. The Kartarpur Corridor will be open throughout the year, except on notified days which will be informed in advance.
Post this, Imran Khan announced that Indian pilgrims would not require passports to travel through the Kartarpur Corridor, provided they have valid ID proof. He also said that pilgrims don’t need to register for their trip 10 days in advance. Lastly, he had also waived off the service fee of U.S. $ 20 per pilgrim, on the first day of the inauguration and on the 550th birthday of Guru Nanak, i.e., November 12, 2019.
