Tag: Kartarpur Corridor

  • Celebs praise PM Khan for Kartapur opening

    Celebs praise PM Khan for Kartapur opening

    It was a historic day for Pakistan, India and their relations as the world witnessed the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor – an initiative that will allow 5,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the second holiest place for their community on a daily basis without a visa.

    The opening ceremony was performed on both sides of the border by Prime Minister Imran Khan on the Pakistan side and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Indian side.

    Like the rest of the country, Pakistani celebs including Mehwish Hayat, Wasim Akram, Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed, took to social media to express their joy on this ‘corridor of peace’ and praised PM Khan and his government for taking this step and seeing this through.

    PM Khan’s cricket buddies Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar applauded him for this efforts.

    Read more: Aneel Mussarat didn’t get a selfie with Manmohan but guess who all he did get one with

    Armeena Khan and Mehwish also took this moment to compare the Kartarpur Corridor Project to the Ayodha Judgement that was announced earlier in the day.

    https://twitter.com/ArmeenaRK/status/1193062120067420160?s=20
  • Aneel Mussarat didn’t get a selfie with Manmohan but guess who all he did get one with

    Aneel Mussarat didn’t get a selfie with Manmohan but guess who all he did get one with

    One of PM Khan’s best friends, UK millionaire Aneel Mussarat is incredibly fond of taking selfies – whether the person with him knows or not. Aneel was also present at the Kartarpur Inauguration and in a widely circulated video of Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Aneel is seen trying to take a selfie with Manmohan and is pushed aside by Manmohan’s guards.

    WATCH: Imran’s aide ridiculed by Manmohan’s guards

    If Aneel couldn’t get Manmohan he did find others.

    CM Punjab Usman Buzdar is all smiles (as smiley as he can get) for a picture with Aneel.

    Doesn’t qualify as a selfie but he got a money shot

    The picture with Indian Actor Sunny Deol isn’t a selfie but at least he got one big shot Indian in his stash of selfies on this trip

    The Bus Selfie with the PM and the foreign minister and is that Navjot Sidhu behind Imran Khan?

    Standing on the bus

    A smiling foreign minister on the side and the PM on the left, Aneel covered all the stars in this trip.

  • VIDEO: Imran’s millionaire aide ridiculed by Manmohan Singh’s guards

    VIDEO: Imran’s millionaire aide ridiculed by Manmohan Singh’s guards

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s aide and British-Pakistani businessman Aneel Mussarat on Saturday was ridiculed by former Indian prime minister (PM) Manmohan Singh’s security as the former approached the Indian National Congress (INC) leader for a selfie.

    In a video, widely being shared over the internet, Mussarat was seen introducing himself to Singh as he shakes his hand. He, however, is stopped from taking a selfie by the ex-Indian premier’s guards who push him back.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    KARTARPUR INAUGURATION:

    Earlier in the day, PM Imran Khan, his team, ex-Indian PM Singh, cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu and Bollywood actor Sunny Deol among other prominent Pakistanis and Indians reached the Kartarpur to attend the opening ceremony of the much-awaited corridor.

    Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, situated in Kartarpur, is the second holiest place for the Sikh community. Located 120 km away from Lahore, it is at a distance of only 4 kilometres from the Pakistan-India border.

    It has been said in the agreement reached between Pakistan and India — to fulfill the much-awaited demand of the Sikh community — that 5,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims will be allowed to visit the Gurdwara through the Kartarpur Corridor on a daily basis.

  • Sidhu stopped from entering Pakistan through Wagah despite having a visa

    The Indian government on Saturday stopped Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu from entering Pakistan through Wagah border despite having a five-day visa, a private media outlet reported.

    According to reports, Sidhu will now enter Pakistan from Kartarpur.

    The Indian government on Thursday finally allowed cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu to attend the inauguration of the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Corridor after the latter wrote his third letter to the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday requesting permission to visit Pakistan.

    Pakistan has already issued a visa to Sidhu after Prime Minister Imran Khan invited him to attend the historic opening of the corridor, which has been built for Indian Sikh pilgrims travelling to the holy Gurdwara Darbar Sahib temple from a visa-free border crossing.

    Indian media, quoting official sources, reported on Thursday evening that Sidhu had been given political clearance by the government to take part in the Kartarpur Corridor inauguration ceremony on the Pakistani side.

    However, quoting sources, Indian media reported that Sidhu was granted permission only to travel as part of the first group coming from India for the pilgrimage to the Kartarpur Gurdwara, the world’s largest Sikh shrine and the final resting place of Sikhism founder Baba Guru Nanak.

    The permission from the Indian government has come through after Sidhu wrote three letters requesting to Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar asking for the government’s clearance for his visit.

    In his third letter, Sidhu pleaded to Jaishankar for a reply, saying he would proceed to Pakistan other Sikh devotees if the minister doesn’t respond.

    “Despite repeated reminders, you have not responded to whether or not the government has granted me permission to go to Pakistan for the inauguration ceremony of Gurdwara Darbar Sahid Kartarpur Corridor. The delay and no response is a hindrance to my future course of action,” the former cricketer wrote in his letter.

    “I categorically state that if the government has any inhibitions and say no then, as a law-abiding citizen, I will not go. But if you don’t respond to my third letter, then I will proceed to Pakistan as millions of Sikh devotees go on eligible Visa,” he added.

  • Sunny Deol to attend Kartarpur opening ceremony

    Sunny Deol to attend Kartarpur opening ceremony

    Indian actor and politician Sunny Deol has announced that he will attend the Kartarpur opening ceremony on November 9.

    As per reports, Chief Minister of India’s Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh confirmed the arrival of the actor.

    The actor turned politician is a BJP lawmaker from India’s Gurdaspur district.

     “If I won’t go who will? I will go, it is my area and my home,” the BJP MP was quoted as saying by Indian news agency ANI.

    Read More: Navjot Singh Sidhu to join for Kartarpur opening ceremony

    Deol is not the only famous Indian who will be joining the ceremony. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh and Congress lawmaker Navjot Singh Sidhu will also be joining the ceremony.

    The inaugural ceremony for the Kartarpur Corridor will be held on both sides of the border on Saturday, November 9.

    The
    corridor will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan on the Pakistani
    side, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will do the opening on the other side
    of the border.

    Thousands of Sikh pilgrims arrive in Pakistan every year by a special train to participate in the three-day festival marking the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

    However, this year is special as it is not only the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak but also marks the opening of Kartarpur Corridor between Pakistan and India that allows Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara without a passport.

  • Viral image: Woman commando guards Indian Sikh pilgrims

    Viral image: Woman commando guards Indian Sikh pilgrims

    An old image of a woman commando guarding Indian Sikhs as they arrive in Pakistan for a religious tour has gone viral over the internet.

    Captured at Wagah Railway Station back in 2015, the startling picture reflects many things, but respect is the common emotion one can feel out of it.

    Serving two purposes, while the image dissolves religious differences between the two countries, it also buries stereotypes about Pakistan regarding women.

    Thousands of Indian pilgrims arrive in Pakistan every year by a special train to participate in the three-day festival marking the birth anniversary of their spiritual leader Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

    KARTARPUR CORRIDOR:

    Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary is being observed this year and thousands of Sikhs from across the globe have converged in Nankana Sahib. What makes the occasion special this year is that it also marks the opening of Kartarpur Corridor between Pakistan and India.

    Notwithstanding a chill in bilateral ties over occupied Kashmir, the two countries, after tough negotiations, signed a landmark agreement last week, to operationalise the corridor allowing Indian pilgrims to visit the holy Sikh shrine.

    The three-day event will be held from November 10 to 12 in the Punjab district — the birthplace of Baba Guru Nanak — located around 80km from Lahore.

    According to The Express Tribune, it will coincide with a separate event in the border town of Kartarpur, which also houses a historic Gurdwara — Sikh house of worship — where Guru Nanak settled and died in 1539.

    The two neighbouring countries have decided that 5,000 pilgrims from India can visit this shrine daily without showing travel permits.

  • Navjot Singh Sidhu to join for Kartarpur opening ceremony

    India’s Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has confirmed his participation in the inauguration ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9.

    According to reports, Sidhu spoke to Senator Faisal Javed on the phone and confirmed his attendance. He also thanked the Pakistan government, especially Prime Minister Imran Khan, for opening the corridor to mark the 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Devji.

    The Indian leader expressed that he along with millions of Sikhs across the globe are eagerly awaiting the inauguration ceremony.

    Read More: Kartarpur Corridor is ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims

    Meanwhile, Senator Faisal congratulated Sidhu and the entire Sikh community on the occasion. He said that Pakistan will warmly welcome the former cricketer-turned-politician and the other pilgrims who will come to Kartarpur from around the world.

    PM Imran Khan will participate in the ceremony on November 9 as the chief guest.

  • VIDEO: Pakistani flags hoisted in India’s Jalandhar ahead of Kartarpur opening

    VIDEO: Pakistani flags hoisted in India’s Jalandhar ahead of Kartarpur opening

    The Sikh community in India has hoisted Pakistani flags on their houses in Jalandhar for opening Kartarpur Corridor, Duniya News reported.

    According to the details, the flags can be seen waving in the air in India’s Vijay Colony as millions of Sikhs thank Pakistan for Kartarpur project. They said that this facility will provide them relief in traveling to the neighboring country for the celebrations of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

    The video of flags has gone viral a day after posters honoring Prime Minister Imran Khan on the occasion of the opening of Kartarpur Corridor surfaced in Amritsar, India.

    The poster’s displayed, “PM Imran Khan and Navjot Singh Sidhu are the real heroes for opening Kartarpur Corridor”.

    The Sikh minority in India has long sought easier access to the temple, which is just over the border in Pakistan.

    5,000 pilgrims shall be permitted to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib through the corridor on any given day, with an additional provision for more pilgrims on special days including Gurpurab, Baisakhi, etc.

    This corridor will help Pakistan generate revenue up to $100,000 every day and since this facility will remain open 365 days of the year, it can potentially generate a direct income of USD36.5 million i.e. about Rs5.55 billion per annum.

  • Billboards with images of PM Khan in Amritsar taken down after criticism

    Billboards with images of PM Khan in Amritsar taken down after criticism

    Ahead of the historic Kartarpur opening, scheduled to be held on November 9, billboards featuring images of Prime Minister Imran Khan have popped up in Amritsar, India.

    The posters which featured images of PM Khan and former Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu read, “Navjot Singh Sidhu and Imran Khan are the real heroes, for opening Kartarpur Corridor.”

    However, the hoardings were taken down within hours of being put up as they irked the Indians who widely criticised them.

    According to India Today, supporters of Sidhu put up hoardings calling him and PM Imran the real heroes of Kartarpur. The report further added that the hoardings were put up by Amritsar Municipal Councillor Harpal Singh Verka who is known to be close to Sidhu.

    Speaking to India Today, Verka said, “Imran Khan had asked his friend Navjot Singh Sidhu what he can do for him as he visited his swearing-in ceremony in Pakistan. Sidhu put forth a demand before Imran Khan that the Kartarpur corridor be opened for Sikh devotees. I put up hoardings of my own as I wanted to send out the message to the people about Sidhu’s role in getting the corridor opened.”

    See pictures: Kartarpur Corridor ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims

    As per reports, Sidhu was the first Indian politician who received the first invitation card to the opening ceremony bearing number 001 from Imran Khan three days ago.

    Sidhu has reportedly been given permission to visit Pakistan on November 9 when the Kartarpur corridor will be formally inaugurated.

  • Govt releases special song for Kartarpur

    Govt releases special song for Kartarpur

    Ahead of the historic inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor which will connect Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur in India to Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Kartarpur, the government has released a special song, which highlights the message of peace, love and religious harmony.

    The song was released in a special ceremony in Islamabad by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan. Members of the Sikh community were also present at the event.

    See pictures: Kartarpur Corridor is ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims

    Addressing the ceremony in Islamabad, Dr Awan said the opening of Kartarpur Corridor is the execution of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of protection and freedom of all minorities, Radio Pakistan reported.

    Dr Awan said this song will go a long way in promoting a soft image of peace and inter-faith harmony in the country and that the release of this song will send a signal to the world about the true face of Islam.

    The song, which has a Punjabi beat, features Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

    https://twitter.com/RadioPakistan/status/1191415420256968704?s=20
    https://twitter.com/RadioPakistan/status/1191417114168614913?s=20

    Meanwhile, preparations for the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev are underway in full swing. Thousands of Sikh yatrees have arrived in Pakistan for the special occasion and to witness the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9.

    The corridor will facilitate visa-free movement of Indian pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Guru Nanak.

    Along with the song, Pakistan has also released a commemorative postage stamp and a coin to mark the occasion.

    Read more: Pakistan introduces commemorative coin for Guru Nanak’s 550th anniversary celebrations

    Pakistan is home to several sacred Gurdwaras including Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, Gurdwara Janamasthan, Nankana Sahib, Gurdwara Sacha Soda Farooqabad among others.