Pak activists begin online campaign for reopening of Kartarpur corridor

Amritsar: A day after the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement, the likeminded organizations and individuals in Pakistan have begun an online movement for the opening of Kartapur corridor, which had been closed for pilgrimage about a year back to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Talking to TOI, Babar Jalandhari, general secretary of Lahore-based NGO Punjabi Parchar, said, “The recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan has encouraged us to begin a movement for the opening of Kartarpur corridor.”
When both countries can agree to strictly observe all agreements on a ceasefire along the contentious Line of Control despite serious differences, then why both nations can’t resume the pilgrimage to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartapur Sahib, he added.
Notably, the director generals of military operations of both countries have decided to observe ceasefire agreements on LoC and other sectors with effect from the intervening night of February 24/25.
He said as suspension of unprovoked firing between two nations was aimed at peace, similarly resuming pilgrimage to Kartapur Sahib would also promote peace between two nations.
Rana Umer, another social activist from Sheikhupura, said following the ceasefire agreement, the likeminded people here floated an idea of beginning a movement for the reopening of Kartapur Corridor using all available social media platforms.
“These days, online medium is the best platform. We are hopeful of getting immense support from India and other countries as well for this pious initiative” said Rana.
Notably, India had temporarily suspended Kartapur Sahib pilgrimage as well as its registration from March 16, 2020 as a precautionary measure to contain and control the spread of Covid-19.
Nearly six months after Pakistan’s ministry of religious affairs and interfaith harmony, through a notification issued on October 2, decided to allow the Indian visitors to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, from dawn to dusk as per the bilateral agreement of 2019 on Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. However, disagreeing with Pakistan’s decision, India denied reciprocating the gesture stating that decision to re-open the Kartarpur corridor would be taken in accordance with the protocols relating Covid-19 and easing of restrictions.
“Now the situation has changed, India has allowed gatherings at religious places, social and political functions, so it can allow devotees to cross over the border to fulfill their religious aspirations,” said Gurbir Singh, resident of Nankana Sahib.
Babar said they had made a Facebook page, a Twitter handle and would extensively use all other platforms to urge the Indian government to re-open the Kartapur corridor.
Box: Permission blues
Following the denial of permission to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)-led Sikh jatha to travel to Pakistan to observe Saka Nankana Sahib on February 21, the Hindu jatha also feared denial of permission to travel across the border to celebrate the festival of Mahashivratri on March 11. “If coronavirus situation and security threat persist, the government could deny us the permission to travel to Pakistan,” said Shiv Partap Bajaj, president of Kendrya Sanatan Dharam Sabha while talking to TOI on Friday.