Two brothers reunite at Kartarpur corridor after 74 years

NAROWAL:  Two brothers on Wednesday reunited at Kartarpur Corridor after 74 years.

According to details, the two brothers had separated at the time of the partition between Pakistan and India in 1947. Today (Wednesday) both the brothers have reunited.

Earlier on Nov 10, Prime Minister Imran Khan had inaugurated historic Kartarpur Corridor which would facilitate the entry of Sikh community to visit Gurdawara Darbar Sahib in Narowal District.

On the occasion, in his message to Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Imran Khan said: “Let’s coexist as human beings. Imagine working together, alleviating poverty and illiteracy from the region. Just imagine the possibilities.”

He said a leader always unites people, never divides them. A true leader does not earn votes by spreading hatred.

PM Imran Khan said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) united the people. He never spoke of hatred. He only spoke of bringing people together. Our religion says the killing of one human being is like killing of all humanity.

“Nelson Mandela will always be remembered in South Africa because he united people post-Apartheid. Apartheid-hit South Africa was totally divided. No one ever thought there would be peace and justice in South Africa. Everyone believed there would be bloodshed; but one leader who spent 27 years in jail forgave and united them all,” he added.

“Navjot Singh Sidhu asked me to open the border; the first thing after coming into power I spoke to Narendra Modi about alleviating poverty and working together. I told him let’s solve the Kashmir issue by talking and resolving like neighbors.”

“I remember going to a conclave in India and telling the then prime minister Manmohan Singh that we can lift the entire subcontinent by working together. I said the same to PM Modi. But unfortunately we have a huge human rights issue at hand; eight million people are under lockdown. The way people are kept like animals,” he added.

PM Imran said the rights of the people of Kashmir to self-determination, granted by the UN, were taken from them. I still maintain today; and if Mr. Modi is listening, justice is what brings peace and prosperity.

“People from India, the Sikh community can come here, and I am happy that I am here to witness this and open this corridor with you. I hope one day our relations are beyond hatred, beyond the conflict of 70 plus years.”

“France and Germany fought wars but look at them today with their cross border relations, their trade. I hope to see this in the subcontinent very soon. Thank you very much for this historic moment today.”

Earlier on his arrival at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the Prime Minister shook hand with former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and exchanged views with him. He also met former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu. Governor Punjab Chaudhary Sarwar and Interior Minister Ijaz Shah also interacted with Manmohan Singh.

The Construction of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and renovation of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib which has now become the world’s largest Sikh Gurdawara, has been completed in record time. The ground breaking ceremony of the corridor was held on 28th November last year.

‘Big Moment’

On his arrival, former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the opening of Kartarpur corridor as a big moment. He hoped that Pakistan-India relations will improve enormously as a result of this initiative.

The Indian Punjab Chief Minister Amarindar Singh also described this initiative as a major beginning and expressed the confidence that it will lead to more such steps.

The first batch of 10,000 pilgrims is set to perform their rituals within the compound of the Gurdwara after seven decades on the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.

Pakistan has announced to allow visit of 5,000 pilgrims to the shrine everyday with additional numbers on special occasions, subject to capacity expansion of facilities.

As a special gesture, the government also waived off the requirement of passport and 10-day advance intimation for whole year, a move which has not received a warm welcome by India.

The stunning white-coloured edifice of Gurdwara Baba Nanak stands tall as a symbol of peace and harmony despite a relation full of discords between the two bordering countries.

The inauguration on November 9 coincides with with birthday of the country’s national poet and philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who in his poem ‘Nanak’ written in book Baang-e-Dara, holds the Sikh spiritual leader in high esteem for his monotheist beliefs.

Read more: Navjot Singh Sidhu visits Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan