Reema Shaukat
Pakistan will open the much-awaited Kartarpur Corridor to India on 9th of November 2019. The proposed corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, India. This initiative by government of Pakistan will allow visa-free movement of Indian Sikh devotees, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev. Stepping ahead towards regional peace and stability, this world’s largest Gurdwara for Sikh community is located in Kartarpur, District Narowal, Punjab.
According to social media tweets by the government officials it was mentioned that “Pakistan is all set to open its doors for Sikhs from all across the globe, as the construction work on Kartarpur project enters final stages and will be open to public on November 9, 2019”. PM Imran Khan mentioned on one of social media platform that this tweet is “clearing the air on whether the corridor will be open on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of the Sikh faith founder Guru Nanak Dev next on November 12. Also the world’s largest Gurdwara will be visited by Sikhs from across India and other parts of the World. This will become a major religious hub for the Sikh community, and will boost the local economy, result in earning foreign exchange for the country creating jobs in different sectors including travel and hospitality. Religious tourism is on the rise in Pakistan, earlier Buddhist monks visited various sites for religious rituals followed by opening of Kartarpur Corridor”.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said former Indian PM Manmohan Singh has accepted his invitation to attend the Kartarpur corridor inauguration ceremony as “a common man”. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said Manmohan Singh had agreed to join the first all-party “jatha” (delegation) to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara to join the mega event after the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor. Manmohan Singh would be a part of Sikh Jatha delegation led by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. They will pay obeisance at the shrine and would return on the same day.
It is very important to mention that India couldn’t work more on improving bilateral relations between India and Pakistan during Modi’s previous tenure. Same goes for this reign also where it is more focused on spoiling terms with Pakistan in one way or the other. Whereas Pakistan’s foreign policy goals are always addressed on refining cordial relations with nation-states. Pakistan has always demanded India to respect humans and their sentiments living on both sides or across the border after partitioning. As many communities and people from different religious backgrounds are living in India but often it is observed that India has failed to address their issues and solve their real problems.
Ironically if we see the present situation of minorities and particularly Sikhs in India, it is highly depleting. Sikh community is another target of extremism in India and particularly they are on hit list as Sikh ideology condemns the caste system and worshipping idols which is fundamental in Hinduism. Sikhism was downgraded to status of sub sect of Hinduism and Sikhs are since then demoralized and subjugated by Hindus. On the other side, Pakistan with rich cultural heritage of many ancient civilizations and religions has a tolerant, generous and impartial policy towards believers of all faiths and religions including Sikhs. Governments in consultation with Sikh community is take care of 13 Gurdwaras and constantly striving to upgrade and restore historical Sikh sites in phases. Apart from regular upgradation and renovation Sikhs have always expressed satisfaction on Pakistan’s role in their care. Noticeably Sikhs residing in Pakistan are also playing key role and have their representation in armed forces and Parliament of Pakistan.
To facilitate Sikhs living in India and Pakistan, the Kartarpur corridor is a proposed border corridor between the neighbouring India and Pakistan, connecting the Sikh shrines of Dera Baba Nanak Sahib located in India’s Punjab and Gurdwara Sahib Kartarpur in Punjab Pakistan. Pakistan is building the corridor from the Indian border to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, while the other part from Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district up to the border will be constructed by India. Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib is considered the holiest place in Sikh religion because it is the last resting place of Baba Guru Nanak located in Narowal, Punjab Pakistan and is only four kilometres away from the Indian border. Interestingly, large number of Sikh believers gather in Indian area to have a look on their sacred site as the shrine is visible from the Indian side of the border. This 4.7 kilometres long corridor will be built up to allow Sikhism followers from India to visit the Gurdwara in Kartarpur without visa. The proposal to build a corridor connecting Dera Baba Nanak in India with Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan has been there for two decades. However, the proposal only began to take shape when in August, the present government announced that Pakistan was planning to open the corridor. On 26 November 2018, the foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor was laid down on the Indian side whereas after two days the foundation stone for the corridor was laid down on the Pakistani side.
Pakistan decided to complete first phase of development of Gurdwara Kartarpur Corridor on immediate grounds with estimated cost of Rs13.2 billion for construction of bridge, road, rest rooms for capacity of 1000 person and other affiliated facilities. Government has constructed special inns and community kitchen or famously known as Langarkhana where pilgrims will be served food. It is also coming in news that this huge project located on massive land will have all kind of facilities for Sikh pilgrims including local markets to shop around and museum where some sacred pieces will be displayed. Pakistan has a potential to generate revenue of $3.8 billion annually from tourism sector alone and present government is promoting tourism in general and religious tourism in particular. Wherein India pilgrims face problems like visa issues, minorities living in Pakistan have complete religious freedom and they are facilitated whenever there is any procession or sacred festival. Sikhs love for Pakistan is visible in many aspects apart from their peaceful lives in Pakistan and completion of Kartarpur corridor will further enhance their trust on Pakistan’s efforts for Sikh community.
