Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are on the verge of creating history through the opening of Kartarpur corridor.
Talking to the journalists along with Punjab Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar at the Governor’s House here on Tuesday, he said: Time provides opportunities to leaders to immortalise their names through epoch-making feats and great leaders never let such opportunities slip away.” He added that Kartarpur corridor would immortalise Imran Khan and Modi. Sidhu said nothing could be achieved without effort and it was a miracle that Kartarpur corridor became a reality in three months, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan could not give any better gift to 120 million Sikhs than the opening of Kartarpur border. “A sweet fragrance of friendship has emanated from the land of Pakistan and it is going to mesmerize people on the Indian side of the border,” he said. To a question, he said that the opening of Kartarpur corridor would pave way for peace in the region and open up new vistas of cooperation between Pakistan and India.
“Kartarpur corridor would enhance people to people contacts and I foresee brotherhood and more friendly relations between the people of two Punjab”, he said, adding that Pakistan government had opened up doors of innumerable possibilities by opening the doors to the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak.
Talking to the media men, Punjab Governor Sarwar said the opening of Kartarpur border was a historic decision by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The governor said that the Sikhs had been facing many problems, including visas, and all these problems would be solved under the leadership of Imran Khan.
Ch Sarwar invited Sidhu to spend a whole day in Nankana Sahib next year, adding that the government would provide maximum facilities in the holy city of Nankana.
Earlier in the day, Sidhu led his country’s delegation to Pakistan for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor to be held today.
The Indian delegation comprising Minister for Food Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister for Housing Hardeep S Puri and Sidhu reached Lahore through the Wagah Border crossing where they were received by officials of the Punjab Rangers.
Published in Daily Times, November 28th 2018.
