Imran Khan with Navjot Singh Sidhu, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Puri.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the historic Kartarpur Corridor Project. Navjot Singh Sidhu, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Puri are in Pakistan for the event. Days after PM Modi announced the construction of the Kartarpur corridor, Pakistan Prime Minister will today lay the foundation stone in Kartarpur for the passage that will link Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistan, to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. The foundation stone for the religious corridor was laid in India two days ago by Punjab Chief Minister Amrinder Singh and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
The event in Narowal, 120 kilometers from Lahore, has made headlines for its invitees and attendees. Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri left for Pakistan today as the Indian government's representatives along with Punjab minister Navjot Sidhu who was among the first to accept the invitation. His attendance was contested by Amarinder Singh who had asked him to reconsider his decision to visit Pakistan. Imran Khan, senior politicians of Pakistan's Punjab province and a host of top officials will be attending today's event on the Pakistani's side.
Here are the highlights of the Kartarpur corridor event:
Omar Abdullah on Kartarpur Corridor
I think Kartarpur is a great beginning between the two countries. Atleast there is a thaw and that is important. Sure this is a beginning and his invitation of SAARC to the PM will also make a difference. I think gradually, as the polls are over, you will find, India in the next phase of the govt will have a better outlook towards all these countries
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said the Kartarpur Corridor initiative should be seen in isolation while reminding of the Centre's stance of "terror and talks can't go together".
"People keep saying give peace a chance, something should happen but see what our government has said," General Rawat said.
(news agency IANS)
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said the government and army were both intent on establishing a "civilised relationship" with India, and claimed that the Kashmir dispute can be resolved through talks and a healthy respect for humanity.
Pak PM talks about poverty, relationship with Navjot Sidhu:- If we want to end poverty... we should focus on working together...
- China has pulled out over 70,000 crore people out of poverty...
- If India moves one step towards us, we will move two steps in their direction...
- I want to welcome all, specially my friend Sidhu.... I want to mention how Mr Sidhu faced a lot of wrath when he went back after meeting me 3 months back...
- Dont understand what was the wrath all about...He extended a hand of friendship... for two countries, who have nuclear weapons... Would anybody in their right mind want two nuclear nations to engage into war... Sidhu did the right thing... He deserves praise.
- I hope we don't have to wait for Navjot Sidhu to become India's PM for two countries to become friends... I hope better sense prevails... and leadership realises how two nations can co-exist..
- I remember my days as a cricketer... when I visited India... the two countries did not have the best of relations, but I was received with immense warmth there...
- The only thing important here is the leadership needs to have the political will
"I am telling you that I the PM, our party, other political parties, our army - we are all on the same one and we want to move ahead with India . We want to have a civilised relationship," says Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Pakistan Prime Minister on India-Pak ties
- If France and Germany, the two countries which fought many wars, can co-exist... why can't others...
- Their leadership focussed on bigger causes... Why Cant India and Pak do that
- Yes, people have been killed in India and Pak but the magnitude is much smaller than what happened in Germany, France..
- Our point of contention is one--- Kashmir... Tell me one thing, Man has reached the moon... What is it that we can't resolve with humanity.... All we need is a goal...
- Think about what two nations can achieve together.
Pakisthan Prime Minister:
- Our Sikh brothers and sisters have gathered here from across the world. I want to welcome all of you here
- I assure we would be providing you better facilities over time...
- Now, there's one kind of player who is always scared of losing.... Then there's another category of player... who would only focus on winning....
- As i entered politics... i came across two kind of leaders... First category, which is the majority of leaders, who are into appeasement politics... In 22 years, i met many people like these..
- Then there are leaders who would mobilise people for a bigger cause... He would overcome his fear...
- It goes who would saying which category of leaders are the bigger leaders
- Unless we look beyond blame games... scoring brownie points... we cant achieve anything big...
Harsimrat Kaur Badal at the Kartarpur Event:
- It is a historic day for our us. The aspirations of Sikh pilgrims have been fulfilled
- What has not happened in 70 years has happened now
- Guru Nanak spent his last years on your (Pakistan land)
- I have followed Guru Nanak's calling and come here for the ceremony
- I am immensely happy that both the governments agreed on it. I hope this removes all bitterness
Navjot Singh at Kartarpur event:
- No discrimination on the basis of religion, our country says. Guru Nanak said this 550 years ago
- People had to go back with tears in their eyes before the corridor opening
- Peace must prevail. Bloodshed must end
- This corridor will unite people
- This a miracle. Gurus have said that one who keeps his promises is a noble man
- This is a special day. This is the faith of 12 crore nanak 'lavais'
- Both our governments need to understand that we have to move on
- Till there is blood in my veins, will thank both the governments for the peace process
Navjot Singh Sidhu has begun speaking at the event
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Hardeep Singh Puri and Navjot Singh Sidhu at the Kartarpur corridor ceremony
Kartarpur is a great example of how religion can bring people together instead of dividing them. It is a path envisioned by PDP founder Mufti Sahab to end the turmoil in Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted
A picture of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the Kartarpur corridor will act as a bridge between the people of India and Pakistan. He even referred to the fall of the Berlin Wall to underline the importance of the corridor
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had earlier said he could not accept Pakistan's invite to the Katarpur Corridor ceremony, when terrorists from across the border continue to target his state
The corridor will allow Indian Sikh pilgrims to travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur without a visa. It is expected to be completed within six months, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said on Tuesday
The Kartarpur Corridor event will take place amid differences between Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu, who accepted Pakistan's invitation. Two union ministers - Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri - too will attend the ceremony