Opening of Kartarpur Corridor practical proof of Pakistan’s desire for peace, says UN chief

By M ZulqernainnnLAHORE: UN chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday said the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is a practical example of Pakistan’s desire for peace and inter-faith harmony, as he visited the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev.nn

Speaking to the media, UN Secretary-General said Kartarpur Corridor is a practical example of Pakistan's desire for peace and inter-faith harmony. He said the opening of Corridor is a good step and it will promote tolerance and interfaith harmony. #UNSGinPakistan pic.twitter.com/SLJiUScKah

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 18, 2020

nnThe Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandhik Committee and Evacuee Trust Property Board officials received the UN Secretary General at Kartarpur Sahib, some 125kms from Lahore. A Sikh boy presented him a bouquet.nnGuterres was also briefed about the Kartarpur Corridor pact between Pakistan and India. He was told that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took this initiative to facilitate the Sikh community of India and elsewhere to visit the shrine.nnThe corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur – the final resting place of Sikh faith’s founder Guru Nanak Dev – to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Gurdaspur district.nnWearing an orange scarf, Guterres visited different parts of the Gurdwara. He was served with traditional food in lunch along with Sikhs and Pakistani officials.nnStrict security measures were taken during the visit.nnIndian Sikhs in good number were also present at Kartarpur Sahib.nnLater talking to media persons, the UN Secretary General said the Kartarpur Corridor is a practical example of Pakistan’s desire for peace and inter-faith harmony, Radio Pakistan reported.nnHe said the opening of the corridor is a good step and it will promote tolerance and interfaith harmony.nnThe UN chief appreciated the facilities being provided to Sikh pilgrims at the complex.nnKhan inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor on November 9, 2019 in connection with the 550 birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.nnPrime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the corridor from the Indian side on the same day by flagging off the first batch of over 500 Indian pilgrims, including former premier Manmohan Singh and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.nnKartarpur Sahib in Pakistan is located across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. It was established by the Sikh Guru in 1522. The first Gurdwara, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, was built here, where Guru Nanak Dev is said to have died.nnEarlier in the day, Guterres addressed students at the Lahore University of Management Sciences and urged them to focus on new technologies. He termed climate change as the major issue the world is facing today. He also inaugurated a polio campaign.nnPakistan is one of the three countries where polio is still endemic.nnSource: Press Trust of India