Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurates Kartarpur Corridor
Lahore … News Time
Taking another historic step, Pakistan opened Kartarpur Pass today for Sikh pilgrims on the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak. Prime Minister Imran Khan unveiled the throne and officially inaugurated the Kartarpur transit. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Kartarpur transit, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Gronank Ji’s 550th birthday to the Sikh community was blessed. “I pay tribute to all entities, including the FWO, on building the complex within 10 months,” he said. Little did I know that my government could do such great work, that our Prophet (pbuh) came to be a mercy to all.
Imran Khan said that there is no justice in the animal society, animals do not have rights of the weak, as the Prophet came, he spoke of humanity and justice, people who are close to Allah, love them. He said that people still visit the shrines of Olivia in the subcontinent, because they came to humanity, I am glad we could do it for you, I found out a year ago about the status of Baba Guru Nanak for Sikhs. The Prime Minister said that Pakistanis have to say that Kartarpur is a Medina for Sikhs; leader does not vote by spreading hatred, Nelson Mandela will be remembered in Africa for the rest of the world, but Nelson Mandela saved the nations from fighting, killing one man in our religion is killing the whole world.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had said in a message that today is a testament to our efforts for peace in the region. Delegation of Sikh pilgrims from India has arrived in Pakistan, former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Indian Punjab Chief Minister Armandar Singh, Indian politicians, Congress leader and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sudhu, Actors and politicians are present at the inauguration of Sunny Devil and thousands of Sikh pilgrims at Kartarpur corridor, including women in large numbers. Prime Minister Imran Khan handled Manmohan Singh and inquired about his well-being, along with Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Bazdar, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Home Minister Ejaz Shah and other ministers.
Kartarpur transit door opened:
Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says today is a great day for the Sikh community, opening the road will improve relations between Pakistan and India. Prime Minister Imran Khan warmly embraced his friend, former cricketer and Indian politician Navjot Singh Sudhu. The Prime Minister visited Gurdwara Kartapur Sahib and also reviewed the arrangements there. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Indian politician and former cricketer Navjot Singh Soodhu at Kartarpur, Rahman says that Imran Khan is the Alexander who won the hearts of millions of Sikhs. He said that there are some people like Imran Khan who make history, for the first time since the partition these wires are dropped today. Navjot Singh Sudhu said that Imran Khan does not realize where the Sikh nation will take you; you have conquered the hearts of the Sikh nation. He added that Imran Khan has inaugurated this passage for the Lord, not for any profit, some are people like Imran Khan who made history. Sadhu also said that 4 generations of Sikhs should be eager to come to their father’s house. I am speaking as the voice of the Sikh nation. Today, Jephi has brought color, what Imran Khan has done is unforgettable. Heart is sea.
Addressing Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s inauguration ceremony in Kartarpur, he said that the day is historic, when the money is being raised, the path of love is inaugurated, and the credit goes to Prime Minister Imran Khan who it has taken this step for humanity. He said that thousands of Sikh community people have come here today; Kartarpur has been opened for Sikhs around the world, Baba Guru Nanak gives priority to service from his practical life, we have to see in our poor where peace is at stake, the government of Pakistan is working on two transit routes, which is a good road. Shah Mehmood Qureshi says Kartarpur Sahib has become the largest Gurdwara in the world today, the present century is called the Century of Asia, I wish this message of love spread in the valley of Kashmir today, one is the economic transit pack and the other is the path of love.
He added that change is not coming, change has come and Kartarpur is a practical proof of this, Gurdwaras are settled in Pakistan today, 400 temples have been identified, they will be renovated, the seeds for the love of Baba Grunanak are showing you a bouquet here today, Kartarpur is a practical proof of transit. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also said that Kartarpur transit is practical evidence of change; Open a mosque in Modi Srinagar so that Kashmiri prayers can be read there, if the Kartarpur transit can open, then the temporary closure of the LoC can be opened.
What is Kartarpur Corridor?
The government of Pakistan completed the construction of the Kartarpur transit within a record period of 11 months and made Gurdwara Darbar Sahib the largest Gurdwara in the world. Sikh pilgrims are declaring it a gift from the Government of Pakistan on the 550th birthday of Baba Gorunanak, a gold plaque brought by Indian Sikh pilgrims has been installed here. Authorities said that Gurdwara Darbar Sahib was previously covered on 4 acres. Now it has been expanded to 42 acres and made it the largest Gurdwara in the world. About 800 acres of land has also been allotted to Gurdwaras, while gardens and 36 acres have been planted on 26 acres of land adjoining Gurdwara, Apart from the renovation, twelve dormitories, a library, a museum, a guest house and anchorage have also been constructed.
Kartarpur passenger visa is free, Indian Sikh passenger will be able to get passport scan and biometric certification and pay only $ 20 per person service charges. However, the spirit of goodwill is entry-free on November 9, the opening day today and the birth anniversary of Baba Groening on November 12. Passengers from India will arrive in the morning and return in the evening, 5,000 passengers will arrive daily via Kartarpur transit, for security of Gurdwara, 215 CCTV cameras have been installed; separate pools have also been set up for male and female Sikh pilgrims.
Gurdwara Sahib Kartarpur and Baba Grunanak
There are 2 most sacred places of Sikhs in Pakistan, the first born is Astana Nankana Sahib, where the founder of Sikh religion Baba Goronanak Dev Ji was born and the second Gurdwara Darbar Sahib is Kartarpur, where Baba Gorunanak spent the last 18 years of his age and Died here Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is the second most sacred place of Sikhs, located approximately 120 km from Lahore and only 4 km from the Pak-India border. This Gordwara is situated in Kotha Pand, a small village on the banks of the river Ravi. This village comes to Shikargarh tehsil of Narowal district. This beautiful gurdwara of white color looks like a bird from afar.
The historical significance of the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib is that the founder of Sikhism Baba Gurunanak Dev Ji spent the last 18 years of his life in Kotha Pand and died there on September 22, 1539, here they are buried in one side and the other on the other. The ancient building of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib was destroyed in the flood of river Ravi, the present building was constructed between 1920 and 1929 by Maharaja Sardar Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, the Government of Pakistan repaired it in 1995, the Gurdwara was completely restored in July 2004, in Gurdwara’s garden there is also a well used by Baba Gorunanak, who is called Sri Khoo Sahib in Sikh devotion.
During the partition of India, the gurdwara had come to Pakistan, for about 56 years Sikh pilgrims were waiting for it. He had set up a darshan station on the Indian border, from where he could see it with the help of binoculars. The Sikh community has been demanding the construction of transit for decades, the previous governments of the two countries also held preliminary talks for the construction of the transit in 1998, 2004 and 2008 but could not produce any result. Indian cricket politician Navjot Singh Sidhu held talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan at the inauguration, announcing that the project would be finalized soon.
In 2018, the Government of Pakistan started construction and extension of Kartarpur transit and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, in just short period of 11 months the construction of the transit and the construction of the Gurdwara including the bridge over the river Ravi was completed, the agreement was signed between the two countries on October 24, 2019.
