Islamabad: Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has told a delegation of British Sikh soldiers that the historic Kartarpur corridor is a practical manifestation of Pakistan’s “unwavering commitment” to religious freedom and harmony.
Major General Celia J. Harvey led by 12-member group delegation met General Bajwa at the Army headquarters in Rawalpindi.
During the meeting Bajwa told the delegation that Pakistan respects all religions and believes that there is a need to promote religious tourism in the country.
Amid frequent attacks on the minority community in a Muslim-majority country, including the targeted killing of Sikhs, General Bajwa said, “The Kartarpur corridor is a practical manifestation of Pakistan’s “unwavering commitment” to religious freedom and harmony.
The British Sikh soldiers also went to Lahore where they also witnessed the flag hoisting ceremony at the Wagah border. The British delegation also visited the Fort of Lahore, the tomb of Allama Iqbal and the Badshahi Masjid.
During their stay, the delegation also visited The Samana Fort, Lockhart Fort and Saragarhi Memorial in Odakzai district. The kartarpur corridor was inaugurated in November 2019 by the then PM of Pakistan, Imran Khan, on the occasion of the 550th Prakash Purb of Guru Nanak Dev ji.
The opening of the corridor had paved the way for Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit their shrine in Pakistan without a visa. The Kartarpur corridor connects Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan with Dera Baba Nanak Gurudwara in Gurdaspur.