The Kartarpur corridor is ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed satisfaction over the arrangements regarding the opening of Kartarpur transit on November 9 and said that Kartarpur is ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims. According to the Dawn newspaper report, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, he terminated the passport condition to provide maximum facilities to Sikh pilgrims.

Awami National Party's Mian Iftikhar Hussain had said that on one hand India is oppressing in occupied Kashmir but on the other hand, Prime Minister Imran Khan is providing unparalleled facilities to Indian citizens. Speaking to reporters in Bahawalpur yesterday, Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said that the people of Kashmir occupied by this move will be surprised whether Pakistan is really serious about Kashmir cause.

Two days ago, PML-N senior leader Ahsan Iqbal criticized Prime Minister Imran Khan for canceling his passport and taking security risks. He said such an action was rarely taken. It is to be remembered that Prime Minister Imran Khan had on November 1 announced that the passport for those coming to Kartarpur Ziarat as well as the entry of Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan should be canceled 10 days ago.

Presiding over a meeting to review the arrangements for the opening of Kartarpur transit yesterday, the Prime Minister had said that India was not opening the transit with its own pleasure and desire. The Prime Minister also expressed concern that efforts to provide facilities to Sikh pilgrims from the other side of the border could be sabotaged. During the meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded his government for completing the Kartarpur transit project in 'record time'.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Kartarpur was ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims from all over the world. He said that Sikh pilgrims coming to Pakistan to attend Baba Groninak's birthday celebrations will have to show their identity only after checking and clearance from India.

Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, Home Minister Ejaz Shah, Foreign Affairs Ministry, Defense, Finance and Secretaries of Religious Affairs were also present at the meeting on Kartarpur transit, according to the Prime Minister's Office.