The much-awaited corridor — connecting Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan and Dera Baba Nanak in India — is scheduled to be operational on November 8. The first batch of 550 pilgrims would depart in the presence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, all Cabinet Ministers, all MPs and MLAs from the State during a massive event.
With Pakistan already finishing 90 per cent of construction work on its side, Punjab Government on Friday maintained that the corridor would be completed “in all respects” by November 5. Already, Pakistan has announced that the corridor would be opened on November 8.
The information was shared during a high-level meeting, held at Dera Baba Nanak, between Punjab Cabinet Minister and local MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and the officials of all concerned government departments regarding the Kartarpur corridor.
It has been learnt that the State Government has decided to go ahead with its decision to send its delegation, comprising the Ministers and MLAs, to Pakistan visit on August 22, which was doubtful considering the escalating tension between the two nations after the India scrapped Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
A senior government official, who did not wish to be named, told The Pioneer, during the meeting, all details regarding the Kartarpur Sahib corridor besides preparations for Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th birth anniversary celebrations were discussed.
“The work of Indian side will be completed by November 5, and the corridor would be opened on November 8. Prime Minister, Punjab Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and state’s all MPs and MLAs would be present during the departure if India’s first jatha (batch) to Kartarpur sahib,” said the official.
The official said that as a “symbolic” decision, the first batch would 550 people as the corridor would be dedicated to the people on the occasion of 550th parkash purab.
Besides, the state government would organise a big event on November 8 at Dera Baba Nanak. The Government has decided to celebrate ‘Dera Baba Nanak Utsav’ which will be the fusion of art and literary forms, and the masses would be made aware of the life and philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev.
A State Government delegation, comprising Cabinet Ministers — Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, OP Soni, and Charanjit Singh Channi, and some MLAs — were scheduled to visit Pakistan between August 22 and 28. Already, the Central Government has given a go-ahead for the visit.
During its visit, the delegation has planned to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province Usman Ahmad Khan Buzdar.
Notably, the Centre’s permission had come before the abrogation of Article 370 divesting Jammu and Kashmir of the “special status”, prompting Pakistan to downgrade its diplomatic ties with India.
Pakistan Government had, in fact, suspended Indian High Commissioner, partially shutting the air space, banning Indian films on Kashmir issue, and even stopped the Samjhauta Express at Wagah border in Pakistan.
At the same time, the Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had made it clear that “Kartarpur initiative would continue”, notwithstanding the latest developments.