Chandigarh: The Government of Pakistan today laid the foundation stone of the much-awaited corridor between Dera Baba Nanak in East Punjab and Kartarpur Sahib in West Punjab. The foundation stone was laid by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan who was flanked by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Foreign Minister Shahmood Qureshi, East Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu.
The groundbreaking ceremony was followed by Government of India’s Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri. The event was attended by top civil-military officials as well as foreign dignitaries.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Kartarpur Sahib corridor on November 28, 2018
The Government of India had held a similar ceremony in East Punjab side two days back. Notably, the Government of Pakistan had announced to lay the foundation of corridor to complete its side after which the Government of India also announced to do a similar exercise on its side.
Speaking on the occasion Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said that if he was to explain the joy which he witnessed on the faces of Sikh brethren to his Muslim brethren he would ask them to imagine as if they were stuck on a border away from 4 kilo meters of the Madina; and then to feel the joy which Muslim would have if that border is lifted to enable them to visit the Madina.
He said that the India and the Pakistan must break the past shackles in bilateral ties.
On the other hand Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj today said India will not attend the SAARC summit if it is held in Pakistan. She said that the Kartarpur corridor project between the two countries in itself will not lead to talks between the two countries.
⊕ Note: Headline corrected from “Pakistan Lays Foundation Stone for Kartarpur Sahib Corridor; Imran Khan Calls to Break Past Shackles; India Announced to Attend SAARC Meet if held in Pakistan” to “Pakistan Lays Foundation Stone for Kartarpur Sahib Corridor; Imran Khan Calls to Break Past Shackles; India Announced Not to Attend SAARC Meet if held in Pakistan” on November 29, 2018 at 3:18 pm (Amritsar Time).