Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday lay the foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor that will connect Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of Punjab. Cricketer-turned-politician and Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and two Union ministers – Hardeep Puri and Harmsimrat Kaur Badal will also attend the historic event which is being dubbed as a ground-breaking initiative towards ending the enmity between the hostile neighbours India and Pakistan.
The 4-km corridor will facilitate the visit of Sikh pilgrims to the historic shrine of Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib - the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak. The Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara is visible from the Indian side and every year, thousands of Sikhs gather at Dera Baba Nanak shrine for darshan. Upon the completion of Kartarpur corridor between India and Pakistan, Sikh pilgrims would be allowed to cross the border without any visa to visit the holy shrine and return the same day.
Also Read | Kartarpur corridor will erase 'enmity' between India, Pakistan: Navjot Sidhu
Here are the live updates of Kartarpur corridor foundation stone laying ceremony:
04.20pm: Pakistan PM Imran Khan: "I heard there was a lot of criticism of Sidhu when he went back after my oath-taking ceremony. I don't know why was he criticised. He was just talking about peace and brotherhood. He can come and contest election here in Pakistan's Punjab, he'll win."
04.18 pm: "The only issue between us is Kashmir, all it needs is just two capable leaderships to resolve this issue. Just imagine the potential we have if our relationships get strong," said Pakistan PM Imran Khan.
04.15pm: Pakistan PM Imran Khan: "Happiness I saw today was like of those Muslims who are standing 4 km away from Medina on other side of the border, but are unable to visit it, but when they get chance to visit it, the happiness they get is the happiness they are relishing today."
03.55 pm: Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal: "When the wall of Berlin can be brought down, then hatred between India and Pakistan can be brought down too with opening of . It can be a new beginning in the name of Baba Nanak who said 'na koi Hindu na koi Musalman lekin ek Onkar'."
03.50 pm: Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal gets emotional while talking about Kartarpur Corridor.
03.45 pm: "Both the govts should realise that we have to move forward. My father used to tell me that Punjab Mail went till Lahore, I believe that it can go further till Peshawar, till Afghanistan," said Navjot Singh Sidhu.
03:40 pm: Navjot Singh Sidhu recites poetry in praise of Pakistan PM Imran Khan.
3.00pm: Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Hardeep Singh Puri and Navjot Singh Sidhu at the ground-breaking ceremony of .
01:50 pm: Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Hardeep Singh Puri and Navjot Singh Sidhu at the ground-breaking ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor in Pakistan.
01:30 pm: The world is acknowledging and appreciating the decision of Pakistan to open Kartarpur corridor for Sikh community: Pakistan Government
01:05 pm: The Kartarpur Corridor event will be attended by Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, key Government officials, Indian ministers, and foreign diplomats.
12:30 pm: Pakistan Army: Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor today.
12:05 pm: For many years the Indian Government has been asking for this (Kartarpur) corridor, only now Pakistan responded positively. It doesn’t mean the bilateral dialogue will start because of this. Terror and talks can’t go together: EAM Sushma Swaraj
11:45 am: I feel extremely grateful and privileged to be able to make this pilgrimage. This was a long-standing demand of the Sikh community. Express gratitude also to Pak Govt: Union Minister Hardeep Puri before leaving for Pakistan for Kartarpur Corridor foundation stone laying ceremony
11:30 am: Attari-Wagah: Union Ministers Hardeep Puri and Harsimrat Kaur Badal leave for Pakistan to attend Kartarpur Corridor foundation stone laying ceremony.
11:00 am: Hello and Welcome to News Nation live blog. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to perform groundbreaking Kartarpur corridor today. The 4-km corridor will connect Gurdwara Darbar Sahib - the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of Punjab. The corridor is dubbed a significant breakthrough to ease the tension between India and Pakistan. Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and two Union ministers will also attend the historic event. Stay with us as we bring you all the live updates.
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