Sidhu writes to Swaraj: ‘Take up visa issue with Pak’
CHANDIGARH: Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has requested foreign affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to write formally to Pakistan on visa and other related issues for easy passage for pilgrims, once the proposed Kartarpur corridor is completed.
In a letter to Swaraj, Sidhu said the positive steps taken by both the governments of India and Pakistan to construct the Kartarpur corridor were a source of great relief and happiness for followers of Guru Nanak’s timeless teachings; and for the people of Punjab.
“As we move down this road, and write a new chapter of faith and love for the region, I pray and hope that this enterprise will yield undeniable and implicit change and thaw in the relations that it will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for the two neighbouring countries,” he said. In the letter, Sidhu has also taken credit.
“During my visit to Pakistan, I was made aware of Pakistan’s intent to open the corridor on the 550th Parkash Utsav celebrations of Guru Nanak. Pakistan foreign affairs minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan, is set to lay the foundation stone for the corridor on their side on November 28 this year,” he said. He said as a Sikh he was committed to the cause of Punjab and its people.
This has been a long standing demand of the Sikh community across the globe and a step in this direction has brought a new ray of hope among pilgrims who anxiously await to pay obeisance at the historic Gurdwara Sahib across the border, he said.
“A few months ago, I had met you to express my concern that the Government of India must take up this initiative by formally writing to your Pakistan counterparts as this would be a great service to the community,” he said in the letter.