Kartarpur, Nov 28: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, Wednesday said Pakistan wants a “strong” and “civilised” relationship with India and the two countries can resolve all issues, including Kashmir, with determination as he laid the foundation stone for a historic corridor linking two revered gurdwaras on both sides of the border.
The much-awaited corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur – the final resting place of Sikh faith’s founder Guru Nanak Dev – with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Gurdaspur district and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur.
Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. It was established in 1522 by Guru Nanak Dev who is believed to have spent 18 years here. The first Gurdwara, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, was built here, where Guru Nanak is said to have died.
“We want to move forward in our relations with India,” Khan said while addressing the ceremony which was attended by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, government officials, Indian Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri and foreign diplomats.
“Mistakes made on both sides. Our countries must stop blame game. If France & Germany can leave their bloody past behind why can’t India and Pakistan break the chains of the past,” the Pakistan PM said.
Khan added that since both India and Pakistan were armed with nuclear weapons, the option of a war among the two countries was “pagalpan” (madness).
“Peace is our only option,” he said.
Khan said Pakistan and India cannot understand the opportunities God has given to them. He said whenever he visited India, he was told that politicians are united, but the army won’t allow the friendship between the two sides.
“I am saying today, that our political leaders, our army, and all other institutions are all on one page. We wish to move forward, we want a civilised relationship. We have just one problem, Kashmir. If man can walk on the moon, what problems are there that we cannot resolve?” Khan asked.
