Indian Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for accomodating Sikhs in Pakistan. He appreciated PM Khan and thanked him for reopening the Kartarpur corridor.
In honor of the birth anniversary of Sikhism founder, Baba Guru Nanak, Pakistan announced that it will re-open the Kartarpur corridor. India shortly followed and announced that it will also open the corridor from its side. The Indian government had restricted travel through the corridor in March 2020 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more: Pakistan reopens Kartarpur corridor, will India do the same?
The Kartarpur Corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district.
As a result, many Sikhs from India arrived in Pakistan including prominent politicians. CM Channi arrived with his cabinet ministers to offer prayers at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.
“I am very happy to come here. And I received immense love from Punjabis, Pakistanis, and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. I am highly indebted for this,” Channi said after reaching the shrine.
He also told pilgrims there that Pakistan and PM Khan showed a big heart and built the “beautiful complex with love and dedication.”
Dedicated to 552nd Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev ji, We will run free buses for pilgrims to #kartarpurcorridor from across the Punjab. I wholeheartedly thank PM @narendramodi ji and Pakistan PM @ImranKhanPTI ji for reopening the Corridor. pic.twitter.com/xDhaGX5vMH
— Charanjit Singh Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) November 18, 2021
“We received a lot of love and respect from here,” the CM said, adding that “Baba Guru Nanak belongs to all.”
Most importantly, the CM also thanked Prime Minister Modi for reopening the Kartarpur corridor from the Indian side.
PM Khan welcomes Sikhs to visit Pakistan
Sikhs celebrate 19th November as the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Therefore, Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter to wish Sikhs around the world.
“Wishing 552nd Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti to all Sikhs around the world. On this auspicious occasion, we welcome thousands of Sikhs to visit their religious sites in Pakistan,” PM Khan wrote.
“I reiterate my government’s commitment to continue facilitating them to perform their religious rituals,” he further added.
Wishing 552nd Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti to all Sikhs around the world. On this auspicious occasion, we welcome thousands of Sikhs to visit their religious sites in Pakistan. I reiterate my govt’s commitment to continue facilitating them to perform their religious rituals.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 19, 2021
Important to note, back in 2019, PM Khan formally inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor. In other words, the move paved the way for Indian Sikh pilgrims to travel to Pakistan to visit their holy sites without a visa.
Moreover, on the occasion, PM Khan noted that the lessons that can be drawn from Guru Nanak’s teachings are about bringing people together and not spreading hate.
Read more: Kartarpur Corridor: Sikh Community Recommends Nobel Peace Award for Imran Khan