Mehbooba Mufti writes to PM Modi, requests to consider Imran Khan's offer to open Sharada Peeth in PoK

After successful opening of much-awaited Kartarpur Border corridor in Pakistan, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to talk to his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan for the opening of Sharada Peeth pilgrimage in PoK for the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community in the state.

The development came after Imran Khan on Thursday offered the opening of several shrines, including Sharada Peeth to devotees from India, saying his government "can consider other proposals including opening up travel for the Sharada Peeth in Kashmir...".

"People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening of Sharada Peeth pilgrimage in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," the news agency ANI reported.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for opening of Sharda Peeth pilgrimage in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir pic.twitter.com/lvbfdHLe9e

— ANI (@ANI) December 1, 2018

Read | Rahul Gandhi sent me to Pakistan, he is my 'captain': Navjot Sidhu

Mufti, who termed the opening of Kartarpur corridor between India and Pakistan a "new beginning" also met members of the Kashmiri Pandit community and expressed hope that PM Narendra Modi will take this matter up with Pakistan PM Imran Khan on priority. “If it happens like the great Kartarpur corridor decision then it will be the best thing for the two nations,” she added.

Sharada Peeth is an abandoned Hindu temple and ancient centre of learning lie in Nilam Valley, 160 km from Muzaffarabad, and right across the Line of Control in the Pakistani administered territory of Azad Kashmir.

Read | Imran Khan explains his 'small men occupying big offices' tweet, says did not target Narendra Modi

The peeth was considered to be one of the foremost centres of higher learning in the Indian subcontinent between the 6th and 12th centuries and hosted several scholars, including Kalhana, Adi Shankara, Vairotsana, Kumarajiva, and Thonmi Sambhota. History suggests that great grammarian Paṇini and Hemachandra’s completed and stored their Sanskrit writing at Sharada Peeth.