Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday performed the groundbreaking of the long-awaited corridor]1 connecting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur area of Narowal district to Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur district.
Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, spent more than 18 years of his life in Kartarpur. The proposal for the corridor was on the table since 1988, when Pakistan and India agreed in principle to construct it but tense relations between both sides prevented progress on the plan.
In the absence of the corridor, Sikh devotees would gather near the border fence and offer prayers with the gurdwara in sight ─ with some of them even using binoculars to better view the temple.
A large number of Sikh yatris ─ both local and Indian ─ along with visiting Indian Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep S. Puri, and Indian Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu were invited to attend the ceremony, along with other foreign diplomats and journalists.
Indian Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, left, and Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal, centre, make their way from the Indian side of the border at Attari to Wagah. — AP
The Indian ministers are greeted at Wagah by Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria. ─ Photo courtesy Harsimrat Kaur Badal Twitter
Indian Minister for Food Harsimrat Kaur prostrates herself on the soil in Kartarpur with the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in view. ─ Photo courtesy Harsimrat Kaur Badal Twitter
Indian Member of Parliament Gurjeet Singh Aujla (C) holds a pot containing water from the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar as he takes part in a groundbreaking ceremony. — AFP
Prime Minister Imran Khan performs the groundbreaking of the Kartarpur corridor alongside Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Indian Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Badal and Puri. ─ APP
Prime Minister Imran Khan (C) alongside Indian Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal (2R) and India's Punjab cabinet minister and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu (3L), arrive to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kartarpur Corridor. — AFP
Pakistan Army soldiers gather in front of Kartarpur Gurdwara Sahib during the groundbreaking ceremony. — AFP
A view of the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. — AFP
Pakistani Sikhs walk to the main event of the groundbreaking ceremony. — AFP
Prime Minister Imran Khan addresses the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kartarpur Corridor. — AFP
India's Punjab cabinet minister and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu addresses the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kartarpur Corridor. — AFP
Visiting Indian Sikh pilgrims attend the groundbreaking ceremony in Kartarpur. — AP
Sikh Pilgrims gather in the Kartarpur Gurdwara Sahib after the groundbreaking ceremony.— AFP
Sikh children shout slogans in front of the Kartarpur Gurdwara Sahib after the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kartarpur Corridor. — AFP
Sikh Pilgrims partake in Langar in front of Kartarpur Gurdwara Sahib after the groundbreaking ceremony. — AFP
Indian Union minister Harsimrat Kaur partakes in Langar. ─ Photo courtesy Harsimrat Kaur Badal Twitter
Indian Union minister Harsimrat Kaur takes part in Kar Seva. ─ Photo courtesy Harsimrat Kaur Badal Twitter
Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Commandant Sudeep (3L), escorts Harsimrat Kaur Badal (C) and Hardeep Singh Puri (2R) over to Attari from Wagah after they attended the Kartarpur groundbreaking ceremony about 35km from Amritsar. ─ AFP
Indian artist Gurpreet Singh poses with a paper model of the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan — the focus of the Kartarpur corridor between India and Pakistan — in Amritsar. — AFP
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Comments (29) Closed
Beautiful pictures Dawn!! Thanks!
Excellent!
Smiles on the faces of the people of both sides of the border! PEACE all around!!
Simply good
The exquisite pictures radiate nothing but hope!
Really nice to see smiles on all of them. Lots of prayers for Love n peace in the world.
This is why Dawn is my favourite. Applause to you Dawn. Punjab, India.
Heart warming pictures! Let us start new journey of peace and friendship between Pakistan and India.
Welcome step indeed. However unless and until both the Governments allow visas to all types of visa applicants nothing substantial will improve as of now only a certain section are able to visit each others countries.
Simply wonderful coverage.
Beautiful pictures of the historic Kartarpur ground breaking ceremony. PM Imran Khan is a world leader and statesman, who rose above the traditional petty politics in both the countries. What all the previous politicians on both sides had denied Sikhs for 70 years, he delivered. He is a man of peace, friendship and love. He deserves the Nobel Peace prize.
These pictures must be heart breaking for Modi Inc.
Very nice to see these pictures! Happy to see Imran being true to his word.
A thank you from a lot of Indians
Well done Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan. We are proud of you. Simply fantastic. All the best for nya Pakistan.
It just brings such warm feelings. Good job Pakistan and its PM and everyone else.
indeed modi can't digest these smiling pictures.
Friedship is always good; in any form and shape.
Well done Pakistan
Excellent event and pictures. Thanks Dawn.
PM Imran Khan has earned goodwill of millions of Indians .
Impressive shots carried a lot thanks blessings
Thank you thank you thank you DAWN for these beautiful pictures
There should be a option to like the article or photos.
I bet this one eould get a million likes!!
Imran Khan did it. Imran Khan 1 Modi 0
It's a good sign that Pakistan can protect the rights of minorities and foreign neighbouring relations.
This article brought tear to my eyes....
@Kulwinder Singh tears of happiness, Paji Please welcome back to your homeland
@MAkram Shame on you ...for giving political angle to this one