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PM Imran opens Kartarpur Corridor

KARTARPUR—In what may be called the world’s ‘longest’ ever pilgrimage, it took almost 72 years to the Indian Sikhs to make it to one of their holiest shrines located just 4.1 kilometers from the border in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday inaugurated the much-anticipated Kartarpur Corridor project that would give visa-free access to the Indian Sikhs to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah, Religious Affairs Minister Pir Nurul Haq Qadri, special assistants Dr Firdous Ashiq and Zulfiqar Bukhari, Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, and diplomats.

As the gate built on Pak-India border was opened, the smiling Sikh pilgrims walked into Pakistan with traditional turbans and holding kirpan (small sword) in their hands. The prime minister reached the venue of the inauguration ceremony through the shuttle service carrying the Sikh pilgrims.

Buses were awaiting the pilgrims with welcoming banners and wheelchairs were placed there for the elderly or ill persons. The pilgrims were later driven to the venue of the inauguration ceremony after going through immigration and security checks. At the terminal, the staffers were alert to swiftly accomplish the screening process.

All around, there was an ambiance of celebration both Indian and Pakistani Punjab, though the celebration was to some extent spoiled by Indian Supreme Court’s decision in Babri Masjid case ordering the formation of a trust to construct a temple for Lord Ram and allocate alternative land to Muslims.

Former Indian Prime Minister Sardar Manmohan Singh, Chief Minister of Indian Punjab Amrinder Singh, Congress leaders, renowned cricketer and Prime Minister Imran Khan’s friend Navjot Singh Sidhu and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol were also part of the group.

The Sikh pilgrims were all appreciative of the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa which made this longstanding demand of the Sikh community fulfilled. The Yatrees, who so far had been content of viewing their holiest shrine from binocular towers built in Gurdaspur district of Indian Punjab, would now be able to quench their thirst of the holiest pilgrimage.

The corridor would lead the pilgrims straight to the Gurdwara built to commemorate the site where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life before he died there in 1539. The opening of the Corridor coincides with the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birthday to be celebrated on November 12 when the arrival of Sikh pilgrims from across the world is expected.

In another co-incidence, Pakistan was also celebrating on Saturday the birth anniversary of its national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, also the great admirer of Baba Guru Nanak. In his philosophical poetry, ‘Bang-e-Dara’ Allama Iqba had spoken high of Guru Nanak’s broader outlook of religion. “Phir uthi aakhir sada Tauheed ki Punjab say, Hind ko ab ek mard-e-kaamil ne jagaya khuwab se,” which translates “Again, the voice of Tawheed has arisen from the Panjab; And thus, a perfect man has awaken India from her dogmatic slumber.”

In the same book, the great poet said, “Chishti ne jis zameen men paigham-e-haq sunaya; Nanak nay jis chaman men wahdat ka geet gaya” means “The place where Chishti gave his message of truth to the people; The place where Nanak sung a song of oneness of God.” The construction of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and renovation of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, which has now become the world’s largest Sikh Gurdwara, has been completed in record time. The ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor was held on November 28, 2018. Spread over around 400 acres, the Kartarpur Complex currently consists of a new courtyard, langar khanas, museum, library, dormitories, locker rooms, an immigration centre and an embankment to protect the temple from the floods. Pakistan has announced to allow visit of 5,000 pilgrims to the shrine everyday with additional numbers on special occasions, subject to capacity expansion of facilities. As a special gesture, the government also waived off the requirement of passport for Sikh pilgrims and 10-day advance intimation for whole year. The opening of the Corridor is also realization of the dream of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had been the strong advocate of the minorities’ rights in Pakistan and had said, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the state.” The Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the immigration counters and reviewed the arrangements where he warmly received Manmohan Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu. The stunning white-coloured edifice of Gurdwara Baba Nanak stands tall as a symbol of peace and harmony despite a relation full of discords between the two neighboring countries. The Government of Pakistan had acquired around 800-acre land and handed over the same to the Gurdwara management as a gift. Out of which, 42 acres were allocated for the construction of Gurdwara Complex and 62 acres for the agriculture purpose to meet the needs of the Langar Khana. The Gurdwara has been built in record time of 10 months, with high quality construction along with white marble and imported tiles. The visitors will have a glance of Sikhs history at the museum setup in the vicinity where the photographs of Sikh religious leaders have been put on display. A 12-bed hospital has also been established for any health emergency for the pilgrims.

Days of subcontinent’s prosperity not far once Kashmir issue resolved: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday while showing his optimism for the regional peace and development, said time was not far when the subcontinent would achieve prosperity once the Kashmir issue was resolved and the Kashmiris got their due rights. “France and Germany had fought so many wars and killed millions of people. Look the Germany and France of today, they now trade with each other with their borders open and have prosperity. No one even can think of war (there). Insha Allah when this Kashmir issue is resolved and Kashmiris get their right, the subcontinent will also see that kind of prosperity,” the prime minister said addressing the inauguration ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor here.

The Corridor would give a visa-free access to the Indian Sikhs to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the second holiest shrine of their faith, located some 4.1 kilometers from the Indian border in Pakistan. The prime minister was accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ijaz Shah, Religious Affairs Minister Pir Nurul Haq Qadri, special assistants Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and Zulfiqar Bukhari , Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, and others. The prime minister, who visited the huge Kartarpur complex to review the arrangements ,also welcomed former Indian Prime Minister Sardar Manmohan Singh and his cricketer friend Navjot Singh Sidhu as they went through the immigration process at the terminal. Bollywood actor Sunny Deol and Chief Minister of Indian Punjab Amrinder Singh were also among the prominent pilgrims in the ceremony that was also attended by hundreds of Sikh pilgrims from India and Pakistan, diplomats and media men from both sides of the border.

The prime minister, who earlier cut the ribbon to inaugurate the much-anticipated Corridor ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, appreciated the Frontier Works Organization and other government departments for completing the project in record 10 months. To a suggestion by Sidhu to open the border, the prime minister said soon after assuming his office, he had offered Modi to enhance the bilateral engagement to address the regional challenges of poverty, climate change and polio, besides peacefully resolving the Kashmir dispute through dialogue. He also recalled his interaction with Manmohan Singh in a summit in India in which the latter had also viewed that the region could prosper if the Kashmir issue was resolved. But unfortunately, the prime minister said, the Modi regime had turned the Kashmir issue from mere a territorial to a human rights one as around 900,000 Indian troops had put eight million people under siege in the Held valley. He told the gathering that the Kashmiri people were being treated like animals and their rights were being usurped, which were guaranteed by the United Nations. “Peace cannot be established this way. By this (issue) all of our relations are at halt,” he remarked. He said the peace could only be made by bringing justice as injustice could lead to anarchy, and urged the Modi government to liberate the Kashmiri people to let them live their own free life. He said if the border was opened for trade, one could guess how much prosperity the region could achieve and the people get rid of poverty. The prime minister said he was pleased to see the happiness on the faces of Sikh pilgrims who had got their longstanding demand fulfilled. He said being a mercy for the whole universe, Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had promoted the messages of humanity and justice which had been the core factors to differentiate the human societies from the jungle life. Similarly, he said Baba Guru Nanak had also promoted humanity and unity, while opposing any social division and hatred. He said being inspired by the peaceful teachings of great Sufi saints including Baba Farid, Nizamuddin Aulia and Moeenuddin Chuishti, people revered them and visit their shrines regularly. The prime minister, who wore bandanna, a white kerchief tightly tied around the head as bare head is considered inappropriate in Sikhism, said he was pleased to have done this for the Sikh community. Before this initiative, he had never thought of such a significance of Kartarpur Gurdwara among Sikhs. The prime minister reiterated that the real leaders had always contributed to bring social unity and never got votes by creating hatred in the society. He said Nelson Mandela was highly revered in South Africa because he had fought for unity in the society that had been apartheid by racism and saved his country from bloodshed. The prime minister said for the first time, the Sikh people would be able to come to Kartarpur and pay respect to the founder of their faith. “I hope, this is a beginning. Insha Allah, one day, our relations with India will be as it should have been had the Kashmir issue been resolved in the beginning,” the prime minister said. Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Nurul Haq Qadri said the inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor was the greatest message of peace after the partition in 1947. He said the prime minister had fulfilled his commitment to provide access to Sikh community to visit their holy shrines. He said while being in Baghdad, Baba Guru Nanak used to visit the shrine of Imam Kazim daily which gave a message of harmony as he had devoted his life for peace and harmony. The Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh said by opening of Kartarpur Corridor, the 70-year old demand of Sikhs had been fulfilled for what they were thankful to both the governments. He said the Muslims and Sikhs shared religious values as Baba Guru Nanak had also taught oneness of Allah and had spent a long time here in this area. Calling for promotion of the philosophy of Baba Guru Nanak for peace and unity, he said around 10,000 Sikhs resided in Pakistan who should also be provided such a facility to let them visit the shrines in India. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Novjot Singh Sidhu also addressed the ceremony.

Kartarpur – a corridor of love and peace in region: Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Saturday said the doors of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur had been opened for Sikhs of entire world so that they might come here and enjoy hospitality and love from Pakistan.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor here, he said it was a historic day as the ‘corridor of love’ had been opened for a community of 140 million people. He said the world could see the practical demonstration of mutual religious respect between two religions, Islam and Sikhism, at Kartarpur today. “Credit for this love and interfaith harmony goes to Prime Minister Imran Khan, who took the initiative,” he added. The minister said the message of founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak Devji was the message of humanity and peace for all. He said now the world could see for itself who was proving to be a danger to the regional peace. “Who is sowing seeds of hatred in the region,” he added.

He said all Sufi saints gave the message of peace and love including Sikh Guru Baba Nanak and hoped that one day this message of peace and love would also reach the Indian Occupied Kashmir. He said the entire Sikh community was appreciating the decision of opening of Kartarpur Corridor. “Pakistan has been working on two corridors in the country including CPEC and Kartarpur,” he said, adding the first one was for economic development and the second one was for love, respect and peace in the region. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had made a promise one year ago with the neighbours and fulfilled his promise today by opening Kartarpur Corridor, but a promise was also made by an Indian prime minister about 72 years ago with Pakistan and Kashmir, which should now be fulfilled by implementing United Nations resolutions on Kashmir. He said Gurdawara Kartarpur was the largest gurdawara (Sikh temple) of the world, adding the prime minister had pointed out 400 Hindu temples which would soon be renovated and Pakistan would invite Hindus across the world to visit them. “Protecting the rights of non-Muslims in a Muslim state is the Sunnah of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and the vision of Hazrat Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (RA),” he added. He wished the Indian government opened the Central Jamia Masjid of Sri Nagar (Kashmir) for Muslims like Pakistan did. He said November 9 was an important day as Berlin Wall in Germany was demolished on this day. “Why can’t the Line of Control be demolished,” he asked. He invited the Indian government to join hands with Pakistan to tackle the real challenges of the Subcontinent like poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Noorul Haq Qadri also addressed the ceremony.

Imran Khan won the hearts with love: Navjot Sidhu

Sikandar-e-Azam conquered the world by force but Prime Minister Imran Khan has won the hearts of people with love, Indian politician and former cricketer, Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Saturday while speaking at the opening ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor.

He said “Prime Minister Imran Khan has made the history by opening historical Kartarpur Corridor and fulfilled the long cherished dream of four generations of Sikh community, who were anxiously waiting to visit their holy place”. Navjot Sidhu said Imran Khan has conquered the hearts of Sikh community with his love. “It is for the first time in the history after division of Sub-continent that someone has actually tried to remove barriers between Pakistan and India”, he said. “Opening of Kartarpur Corridor is a goodwill gesture for the Sikh community whose four generations were deprived of visiting their father Baba Guru Nanak shrine which is their home. No such relief was given to the Sikh community ever in the history”, he said. Navjot Singh said he is representing the sentiments of 140 million Sikh whose voices were not heard during the last 72 years. He said that he saw many politicians but never saw a brave man like Imran Khan, who has given such a great happiness to him by opening this corridor that he never imagined. “Every leader focuses on profit and loss but Imran Khan is the first lion who heard the voice of heart”.

Navjot Singh said he saw many political leaders whose hearts are like of sparrows however the heart of Imran Khan is like an ocean. He has shown the world how a true friendship is carried on. Sikh community will act as ambassadors of Imran Khan across the world and will promote soft image of Pakistan at international level, he expressed.

Iqbal’s vision reflects in Kartarpur Corridor: Governor Punjab

Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has said the government is opening Kartarpur corridor in the light of the vision of founding fathers of Pakistan – Dr. Allam Muhammad Iqbal and Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Talking to media persons at the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal here on Saturday, he said poet of the East Allam Muhammad Iqbal championed the cause of minority rights and Prime Minister Imran Khan has translated the vision into reality. To a question, he said the government is trying to model Pakistan as per the dream of Allama Iqbal and turn the country into a prosperous, peaceful and tolerant country. To another question, he said PPP and PML-N had taken a judicious decision by not taking part in the Azadi March of Maulana Fazal ur Rehman, adding, the time was not ripe for the protest as it distracted international attention from the Kashmir issue. The PTI government had worked hard to internationalise the issue. “Maulana Fazal ur Rehman had undertaken a protest rally to the federal capital when the government was highlighting Kashmir issue vehemently”, he responded. Responding to a query, Governor Punjab said the government facilitated Azadi March in the light of PTI’s cardinal principles of freedom of speech and freedom of movement. However, he expressed the hope that Maulana Fazal ur Rehman would not adopt path of confrontation with the government. About Nawaz Sharif, the Governor said PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif would be allowed to get medical treatment from the country of his choice abroad, adding that the government had provided the best medical treatment to Nawaz Sharif. He said the family was also facilitated to look after the ailing Nawaz Sharif, adding, the government would not create any hurdle in Nawaz Sharif’s medical treatment.

Imran Khan won hearts of Sikh community by opening Kartarpur Corridor: Sikh Pilgrims

Hundreds of Sikh pilgrims arrived at Pakistan on Saturday from different countries welcomed the historical opening of Kartarpur Corridor and said Prime Minister Imran Khan has won the hearts of Sikh community across the world by opening this corridor and his name will remain imprinted in their hearts forever.

Sikh pilgrims visit the shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) “Imran Khan has fulfilled the promise of opening Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh community of India which he made a year ago and won their hearts. It was our long cherished desire to visit this holy place which the prime minister turned into reality”, Sikh Pilgrims said while talking media.

A policeman keeps vigil outside the shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) A jubilant Sikh Pilgrim, Sardar Amir Singh said this is a moment of happiness for the nations of Pakistan and India. Sikh community in India will now be able to visit their holy place in Kartarpur without passport and visa. “Indian nation can also get maximum benefit out of this project”, Sardar Amir Singh said during his visit to Kartapur Corridor.

Sikh pilgrims prepare bread for devotees at a shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) Another Sikh Pilgrim, Baba Ge Gorpal Singh said “I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan who has given such a big gift to the Sikh community not only of Pakistan and India but the whole world through opening Kartarpur Corridor on the biggest occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak”. The whole world is appreciating this peace gesture of Pakistani government which would allow Sikh Pilgrims from India to under take a visa free visit to the sacred shrine of Baba Guru Nanak and perform their religious rituals. Sardar Kalwant Singh said opening of Kartarpur Corridor is a good decision taken by the Pakistani government which has made easier for our Sikh brothers and sisters to visit their holy places in Pakistan. Now, Indian government should also facilitate the Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan for visiting their holy places in India by taking some similar step.

In this picture taken on November 6, 2019 Sikh pilgrims take selfie pictures in front of the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib ahead of its opening, in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur near the Indian border. - Thousands of Sikh pilgrims are expected around the world to visit to Pakistan to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev which falls on November 12. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) Head of Pakistan Sikh Council, Dr. Ramesh Singh said “Today is a happiest day for the whole Sikh community as well as devoted followers of Baba Guru Nanak across the world. Opening of Kartarpur Corridor conveyed a message to the world that Pakistan is a peace loving country.” He appreciated the way different institutions of Pakistan including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony, Evacuee Trust Property Board and others worked hard for timely completion of this project.

In this picture taken on November 6, 2019 a worker walks in front of the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib ahead of its opening in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur near the Indian border. - Thousands of Sikh pilgrims are expected around the world to visit to Pakistan to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev which falls on November 12. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) He thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa for making excellent security and other arrangements for the Sikh Pilgrims at the opening ceremony of corridor and said this initiative has won the hearts of Sikh community of the whole world.

In this picture taken on November 6, 2019 Pakistani security officials (R) and Sikh pilgrims walk in front of the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib ahead of its opening, in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur near the Indian border. - Thousands of Sikh pilgrims are expected around the world to visit to Pakistan to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev which falls on November 12. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) “This was the Pakistan of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah where the rights and freedom of minorities are ensured”, he said. He said despite false propaganda by Indian media, the banners of Imran Khan and Navjot Singh have been placed in Indian Punjab. Opening of this corridor is a big achievement and nothing else could be a bigger gift for around 120 million members of Sikh community across the world and followers of Baba Guru Nanak.

In this picture taken on November 6, 2019 workers clean the floor at the Shrine of Baba Guru Nanak Dev at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib ahead of its opening in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur near the Indian border. - Thousands of Sikh pilgrims are expected around the world to visit to Pakistan to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev which falls on November 12. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) Another pilgrim, Balbeer Singh Khushdil said “We are very much thankful to the Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran khan and his government who has given an opportunity to the Sikh community to visit their holy place on the sacred occasion of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary. We reached at the place without any difficulty”.

Pakistan will emerge as a peace-loving country as a result of this initiative and it will also help reduce the mistrust between Pakistan and India, he said. Former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh expressed hope that Pak-India relations will improve enormously as a result of this beginning. It’s a big moment for Sikh community”.

Harvinder Singh Phoolka, a senior advocate of Delhi High Court and politician said “This place is like Makkah for us. We cannot express our happiness and excitement in words. We got permission to visit our holy place without any requirement which is an excellent initiative by Pakistani government for the Sikh community.” The members of Sikh families from United Kingdom and Canada said “We are very much happy over opening of this corridor and it is very good peace gesture and we salute to the Prime Minister Imran Khan for this initiative”.

Kartarpur Corridor inauguration testimony of Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor is the testimony of Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace. “We believe that the road to prosperity of region and bright future of our coming generation lies in peace,” he said in his message on the eve of the inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor scheduled on Saturday.

Sikh pilgrims pray as they take part in a ritual procession at a shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) Congratulating the Sikh community on both sides of the border and the world over on the historic day of inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor, the prime minister said the significance of the event for the Sikh community, on 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji, could be well understood by the Muslims who knew what it meant to visit the holy places.

Sikh pilgrims have their lunch at a shrine in Nankana Sahib, some 75 kms west of Lahore on November 7, 2019, on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. - A corridor that will allow Sikhs to cross from India into Pakistan to visit one of the religion's holiest sites is set to open on November 9, with thousands expected to make a pilgrimage interrupted by decades of conflict. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) “The inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor is a manifestation of the fact that our hearts are always open for the followers of different religions as enjoined by our great religion and envisioned by our Father of the Nation. Today we are not only opening border but also our hearts for the Sikh community,” he added.

He said the unprecedented gesture of goodwill from the Government of Pakistan was a reflection of its deep respect for Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji and religious sentiments of the Sikh community, who always wanted to have an easy access to the shrine of their spiritual leader and perform their religious obligations. He said Pakistan believed that interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence would provide an opportunity to work for larger interests of the people of the sub-continent. The prime minister also thanked all those who contributed towards the transforming the vision into reality in record time of 10 months only.

70 years on, Sikh holiest site in Kartarpur opens for devotees on Saturday

Under the same sky but from a land divided by several meter high razor-wired double fence, Indian Sikhs for the past 70 years have been viewing from afar 4.5 kilometers Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, that lies in Pakistan. Hundreds of Sikhs everyday make a beeline near the international border in Indian Punjab’s Gurdaspur district to catch a distant glimpse of one of their holiest shrines situated in Pakistan’s Narowal district.

However, now their wait is over. For some it will be a life long cherished dream, about to materialise, as they set foot in their holiest site. On November 9 (Saturday), the first batch of 10,000 pilgrims is set to perform their rituals within the compound of the Gurdwara after seven decades on the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak. Prime Minister Imran Khan, who envisioned a year ago the construction of Kartarpur Corridor between Pakistan and India to facilitate the Sikh community, will inaugurate the much-anticipated overland passage linking the Dera Baba Nana shrine in northwest India’s Gurdaspur with the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. Dubbed as ‘Zero Point’, the Corridor including a bridge stretches for one-kilometer over the Ravi River flowing between the two countries. Pakistan has announced to allow visit of 5,000 pilgrims to the shrine everyday with additional numbers on special occasions, subject to capacity expansion of facilities. As a special gesture, the government also waived off the requirement of passport and 10-day advance intimation for whole year, a move which has not received a warm welcome by India. The stunning white-coloured edifice of Gurdwara Baba Nanak stands tall as a symbol of peace and harmony despite a relation full of discords between the two bordering countries. The inauguration on November 9 coincides with with birthday of the country’s national poet and philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who in his poem ‘Nanak’ written in book Baang-e-Dara, holds the Sikh spiritual leader in high esteem for his monotheist beliefs. Iqbal, in his verses ‘Phir akhir uthi sada Tauheed ki Punjab se – Hind ko ik Mard-e-Kaamil ne jagaya khwaab se’, means that ‘The voice of belief in Oneness of God rises from Punjab as a man with perfect attributes awakens the land of Hind from deep slumber’. The package of facilities has been set in place for the visitors, including a nine-marque village to accommodate the Sikh pilgrims coming from across the world. The regular visitors will be given a one-day pass and they will return the same day. A Langar Khana inside the complex has a capacity to house around 2,500 pilgrims, who will arrive in after biometric registration at counters set up by the Federal Investigation Agency.

The Government of Pakistan had acquired around 800-acre land and handed over the same to the Gurdwara management as a gift. Out of which, 42 acres were allocated for the construction of Gurdwara Complex and 62 acres for the agriculture purpose to meet the needs of the Langar Khana. The Gurdwara has been built in record time of 10 months, with high quality construction along with white marble and imported tiles. The visitors will have a glance of Sikhs history at the museum set up in the vicinity where the photographs of Sikh religious leaders have been put on display. A 12-bed hospital has also been established for any health emergency for the pilgrims. Around 250 cameras will have round-the-clock vigil for foolproof security and effective monitoring of the complex, while 1,500 staffers have been assigned for the facilitation of pilgrims.. Money exchange outlets and souvenir shops have also been set up for the facilitation of visitors. As a monument of love, peace and affinity, Gurdwara Baba Guru Nanak awaits his followers from around the globe to arrive at the soil of Pakistan – also the Dharti of Nanak (land of Nanak). Read the full article

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