By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan and India have decided to open the Kartarpur border corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting one of their holiest sites on the banks of River Ravi in a move that analysts believe might thaw the frosty relationship between the South Asian neighbours.
This is the second major border crossing between India and Pakistan after Wagha-Attari Joint Check post that is used for movement of people and goods between the two countries through railway , bus and even on foot modes. Khokhrapar-Munabao border, another crossing between the South Asian nations, provides only railway link through Thar Express.
New Delhi announced on Wednesday that it would start construction of the Kartarpur corridor up to the international border with Pakistan. The announcement was immediately welcomed by Islamabad as ‘victory for peace’, according to media reports.
The Indian move came about three months after Pakistan’s army chief had offered to open the route to facilitate Sikh pilgrims. General Qamar Javed Bajwa told India’s cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu at the inauguration of Prime Minister Imran Khan on August 18 that Pakistan was ready to open the route to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur for Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib – located in the Kartarpur area of Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab – is the final resting place of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Devji, and one of the holiest shrines of the Sikh community.
The decision to open the Kartarpur corridor was taken by India’s Union Cabinet in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “In landmark decision, the cabinet approves building and development of Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to International border,” India’s Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh wrote on Twitter.
“The Kartarpur corridor project with all modern amenities and facilities to be implemented with the central government funding,” he added. “The corridor will provide smooth and easy passage to pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib throughout the year.”
Interestingly, the offer to open the Kartarpur corridor was made by Gen Qamar, Rajnath said that the “the government of Pakistan will be urged to reciprocate and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in their territory”.
Notwithstanding, Pakistani government officials immediately welcomed New Delhi’s announcement. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry called it “victory of peace”, while Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Prime Minister Imran Khan would break ground on the corridor.
“Indian cabinet’s endorsement of Pakistan’s proposition on Kartarpur border opening is victory of peace lobby in both countries. It’s a step towards the right direction and we hope such steps will encourage the voice of reason and tranquility on both sides of the border,” Chaudhry wrote on his official Twitter handle.
Qureshi said Islamabad has already conveyed its decision of opening the corridor to Delhi. “Pakistan has already conveyed to India its decision to open Kartarpur corridor for Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary,” he said on the social networking site. “Prime Minister Imran Khan will do groundbreaking at Kartarpur facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion.”
Sikh leaders welcomed the move as a dream come true. Sardar Tara Singh, the chief of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwaras Parbandhak Committee, credited the civil and military leaders for the opening of Kartarpur corridor.
Another Sikh leader, Sardar Bishan Singh, said the decision has won the hearts of the Sikh community worldwide, while former provincial lawmaker Sardar Ramesh Singh said this news had made Sikhs happy beyond measure. “The day has come when the dream of the Sikh community is coming true,” he was quoted by newspaper, Daily Express Tribune.
