The Foreign Office on Saturday rejected the negative propaganda campaign launched by the Indian media against the Kartarpur corridor.
“We are deeply dismayed at the relentless negative propaganda campaign being waged by a section of Indian media against Pakistan on the Kartarpur corridor initiative,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. “The initiative to open the corridor was taken by the Pakistani government solely in deference to the longstanding wishes of our Sikh brethren, and especially in the wake of the forthcoming 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev ji. Attributing any other motives is purely malicious,” the statement added.
Prime Minister Imran Khan had on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the corridor connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district with Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur district. According to the statement, Pakistan had received an overwhelming response from the Sikh community from not only in India but across the globe. “The government and people of Pakistan fully share their joy on this historic breakthrough and solemnly affirm that they will make every possible contribution to a befitting celebration of the auspicious occasion of Baba Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary in 2019,” the statement said.
“Pakistan is convinced that those seeking to sow negativity around this initiative for partisan purposes or due to their known anti-Pakistan proclivities will not succeed in their designs. The government of Pakistan will continue to what is right for advancing this noble initiative,” the Foreign office asserted. “Pakistan will now proceed with the development of the physical infrastructure for the corridor on its side of the international border. We also look forward to working out necessary details and modalities with the Indian side concerning the passage through the corridor,” it added.
The Foreign Office stressed that the inauguration of the corridor has created another moment of hope for the people of India and Pakistan. “We hope every effort will be made to preserve and take forward the Kartarpur spirit,” it concluded.
Published in Daily Times, December 2nd 2018.