Jakhar asks Centre to clarify on Kartarpur corridor

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 20

Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Monday asked the BJP-led NDA government to clarify its stand on the Kartarpur corridor, a long-pending demand of the Sikh community.

Appreciating Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s initiative on the corridor during his recent visit to Pakistan, Jakhar said the ball was now in the Indian Government’s court. He said it was up to the External Affairs Ministry to take up the matter with Pakistan at the diplomatic level. He said opening the corridor was all the more important in view of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

Jakhar congratulated Sidhu for presenting a Kashmiri pashmina shawl to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. “Sidhu conveyed the message subtly yet so strongly that Kashmir belongs to us and we are gifting you a pashmina shawl from there,” Jakhar said. “But you don’t expect the BJP to understand such subtle but powerful messages,” he added.

In Amritsar, SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said Sidhu’s statement on the corridor could not be taken at face value as he represented a party (Congress) and a state government. “We will support Sidhu and call his visit fruitful only if the Pakistan Army chief himself issues a statement to open access to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. We have taken up the issue repeatedly with the Home Ministry,” he said.

Former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Kewal Singh said India should make the most of this opportunity. “It is for the first time that the Pakistan Army chief has put forth such a proposal,” he added.

SAD (Delhi) president Paramjit Singh Sarna said Sidhu’s efforts had rekindled hopes of the Sikh community. “We have been trying to get it (corridor) done for the past 18 years,” he said.