Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday performed the groundbreaking of a four-kilometre-long Kartarpur corridor amid much fanfare in a ceremony attended by a number of dignitaries, including Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Indian Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu.
The corridor will connect Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, India, with Gurdwara Kartarpur Darbar Sahib on the banks of River Ravi in Narowal district to allow visa-free access to Sikh pilgrims for visiting their holy site.
The move was welcomed by people from across the world and many lauded the Pakistani government for his initiative which in a landmark one for Pakistan-India relations.
PM Imran’s loyalists including Hamza Ali Abbasi, Mawra Hocane and Farhan Saeed took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the development. Indian actor Jaaved Jafferi best known for his comic roles in Bollywood films also appreciated the landmark move.
“#Congratulations, mubarik to Sikh community in Pakistan, India and around the world. And a special welcome to our beloved Sidhu Pa Jee,” wrote Hamza on Twitter, sharing pictures from the event.
#Kartarpur Congratulations, Mubarikkkkkk to Sikh community in Pakistan, India & around the world. And a special welcome to our beloved Sidhu Pa Jee @sherryontopp pic.twitter.com/kIlwucNulc
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) November 28, 2018
Jaaved Jaaferi, who has time and time again lauded PM Imran for his thoughts and decisions wrote,
“Maazi sirf seekhne ke liye hai, rehne ke liye nahi. Hindustan dosti ka ek qadam aage badhayega, hum do badhayenge. A fantastically earnest and effective speech by Imran Khan.”
He also appreciated Navjot Singh Sidhu for being part of the opening ceremony.
“Wise and wonderful of Navjot Singh Sidhu to be a part of Kartarpur Corridor opening,” he tweeted.
“Maazi sirf seekhne ke liye hai, rehne ke liye nahi”
“Hindustan dosti ka ek qadam aage badhayega, hum do badhayenge”
A fantastically earnest and effective speech by @ImranKhanPTI ??????. Wise and wonderful of #NavjotSinghSidhu to be a part of #KartarpurCorridor opening.— Jaaved Jaaferi (@jaavedjaaferi) November 30, 2018
“So proud of Imran Khan, you won’t only prove good for this country but for the entire region! Kartarpur Corridor is a master stroke, only a visionary leader can do it . Looking forward to everything you’ll do for this country and this region,” tweeted actor-singer Farhan Saeed.
So proud of @ImranKhanPTI , you won’t only prove good for this country but for the entire region! #KartarpurCorridor is a master stroke, only a visionary leader can do it . Looking forward to everything you’ll do for this country and this region.
— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) November 29, 2018
“This is amazing. #KartarpurCorridor. I am a proud supporter of the current government for many other reasons but especially for encouraging peace with their words and actions. Watching it Live now,” wrote Mawra on Twitter.
This is amazing. #KartarpuraCorridor I am a proud supporter of the current government for many other reasons but especially for encouraging peace with their words & actions??❤❤ @PTIofficial @ImranKhanPTI watching it Live now..
— MAWRA HOCANE (@MawraHocane) November 28, 2018
She followed it with another tweet which read, “Muhabbat aman hai or aman ka paigham Pakistan! Watching my PM speak right now…Heart-Warming!”
Muhabbat aman hai or aman ka paigham Pakistan!?? ❤❤
Watching my PM speak right now.. Heart-Warming! #Pakistan #KartarpuraCorridor— MAWRA HOCANE (@MawraHocane) November 28, 2018
Singer-composer Shafqat Amanat Ali, who has been an actively propagating for Pakistan-India peace and has been part of many crossborder ventures wrote on Twitter, “A welcome step which will hopefully move the two neighbours in a new direction of peace and friendship. Glad that devotees have been welcomed from across the border. May love and peace prevail.”
A welcome step which will hopefully move the two neighbours in a new direction of peace and friendship… Glad that devotees have been welcomed from across the border.. May love & peace prevail #KartarpuraCorridor #KartarpurBorderOpening #PakIndoFriendship
— Shafqat Amanat Ali (@ShafqatAmanatA) November 28, 2018
Former model and PR mogul, Frieha Altaf said, “Thrilled that Pakistan/India to open border at Kartapur to facilitate Sikhs visits to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. Well done PTI. Let there be peace.”
Thrilled that PAKISTAN/INDIA to open border at Kartapur to facilitate Sikhs visits to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. Well done pti. Let there be peace. @PTIofficial @ImranKhanPTI #Peace
— Frieha Altaf (@FriehaAltaf) November 25, 2018
