A 10-member Indian delegation, led by Indian Punjab’s Chief Minister Charan Jeet Singh, arrived at Baba Guru Nanak’s gurdwara in Narowal through Kartarpur Corridor on Thursday to participate in the saint’s birthday celebrations, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
On arrival, Pakistani Punjab Minister Pir Syedul Hassan Shah, Kartarpur CEO Muhammad Latif and chief of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Committee Sardar Ameer Singh welcomed the Indian dignitaries.
In view of the visit by the Indian delegation, Pakistan’s high commissioner (HC) in New Delhi also reached the Kartarpur corridor.
Prominent among those who arrived at Baba Guru Nanak’s gurdwara also included Indian Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Om Singh Randhawa.
According to Hindustan Times, Indian Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and his cabinet colleagues along with their family members visited Kartarpur Gurdwar in Pakistan.
The Channi-led delegation comprised around 15 members, including officers of the Indian Punjab government and their family members. The ministers who accompanied the chief minister are Manpreet Singh Badal, Vijay Inder Singla and Rana Gurjit Singh.
Describing the reopening of the Kartarpur Corridor as a historic moment, Channi said: “It’s a joyous occasion. The long-pending ‘ardaas (prayer)’ of the Sikh ‘sangat (community)’ has been fulfilled and now pilgrims can pay obeisance at the shrine without any hindrance.”
The Indian Punjab chief minister said he was fortunate enough to be part of the sangat paying homage since the demand of the khule darshan-didar of Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, was fulfilled after seven decades. He said he will pray for the prosperity, peace and harmony on both sides of the border. “Our Gurus showed the path of humility, unity, peace and welfare and the corridor will play a pivotal role in realising the thoughts of our guru,” he added.
While interacting with the media, Singla said, “The BJP government has not given a nod to all ministers at once. Some ministers will have the permission over the next few days. Some of them will be going on Friday.”
Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu has got permission to visit the historic gurdwara on Saturday.
Reporter Yasir Arafat