- Imran Khan lays foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor
- Says happiness he has seen on the Sikh
attendees’ faces was the same he could imagine seeing on Muslim faces if they were four kilometres from their sacred places and finally allowed to visit - Says if France and Germany who fought several wars can live in peace, why can’t India and Pakistan
- Says Our army, govt and politicians are on the same page – we want progress
- Says if India for better relations will take one step forward, we will take two steps forward
NAROWAL, November 28: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor and said peace is the only way forward for India and Pakistan as it is foolish to think that two nuclear-armed nations can go to war.
The premier performed the groundbreaking of the corridor, connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district with Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur District.
Addressing the ceremony which was attended by Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, government officials, Indian ministers and foreign diplomats, PM Imran thanked those in attendance and vowed, “We will keep improving Kartarpur corridor and next year you will see all facilities will be available there.”
Speaking about his cricketing days, PM Imran said, “There were two kinds of cricketers – one who were scared of losing and took no chances and the other who took risks and were always successful.” The premier continued that when he entered politics he also came across two kinds of politicians. “One who sacrificed the public good for their own benefit and the other who thought about the society, did not spread hate, took chances and big decisions as well.”
Speaking about the need for better relations between India and Pakistan, the premier said, “If we want to end poverty, borders should be opened.”
Renewing his offer for talks, the premier said, “If India takes one step forward, we will take two steps forward.”
“We want to move forward in our relations with India,” he asserted. “If France and Germany who fought several wars can live in peace, why can’t India and Pakistan,” the premier added.
Speaking about criticism of former Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu for attending his oath-taking ceremony, PM Imran said, “I don’t understand why he was criticised, Sidhu was talking about peace between two countries which are nuclear armed.”
“It is foolish for anyone to think there can be war between two nuclear-armed countries as there is no winning for anyone. So, if there can be no war then what other way is there other than friendship?” the premier said.
“I invite Sidhu to contest elections from Pakistan’s Punjab and I know he will win. Hopefully we will not have to wait for Sidhu to become prime minister for relations to improve between the two countries and before that, Indian leadership will take positive steps,” PM Imran joked.-Agencies
He said the PTI, PM, political parties, army and institutions are on the same page. We want to move forward and want a civilised relationship with India, he said. We have one issue — Kashmir, he added. “Man has reached the moon, what can’t man solve?” he said. We need to talk about it, there is nothing that can’t be solved, he said, adding that we need a big dream and political will.
Speaking on the event, PM Khan said the happiness he has seen on the Sikh attendees’ faces was the same he could imagine seeing on Muslim people’s faces if they were four kilometres from their sacred places and finally allowed to visit. Agencies
