ISLAMABAD – Former Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has received an invitation from Prime Minister Imran Khan’s office to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor in Pakistan.
Talking to Indian media, Sidhu said the invitation was ‘from the same person who had called me when I was invited for the swearing-in ceremony’.
The politician expressed that it will be an honour to be a part of the history, however, hastened to add that he will go to Pakistan if the Indian government permits so.
‘There will not be a happier moment than the time when my turban touches the ground where Guru Nanak Dev once walked. It was an unfulfilled wish of my parents,’ an emotional Sidhu said.
When asked whether he will attend the ceremony on the Indian side of the border, the minister replied in the affirmative.
In an earlier tweet, Sidhu had welcomed his government’s decision to accept Pakistan’s proposal to build the Kartarpur corridor saying it will ‘burn animosity’ between the countries.
https://twitter.com/sherryontopp/status/1065617069415325696
It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries, he tweeted.
India on Thursday gave the go-ahead to Pakistan’s proposal to build Kartarpur corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims wishing to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal District.
The Gurdwara Kartarpur Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Narowal city holds religious significance for the Sikh community; It is the place where Baba Guru Nanak settled down after his travels as a missionary.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/sikh-community-welcomes-pakistans-decision-to-open-kartarpur-border/
The decision to open the Kartarpur border was made after Imran Khan assumed office in August; Navjot Singh Sidhu was invited for the swearing-in ceremony of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief.
During the ceremony, Navjot Sidhu had called for reopening the corridor, however, he faced flack back home for cordially meeting Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Prime Minister Imran Khan would formally open the Kartarpur border on November 28th along with other government functionaries.
