Kartarpur Corridor: Pakistan PM to lay foundation stone on Nov 28

Hours after Indian government urged Pakistan to improve infrastructure and develop a corridor with suitable facilities in its territory from the International Border to Gurudwara Kartapur Sahib in order to facilitate easier access and smooth passage of India pilgrims through the year, Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan would be breaking ground for the Kartarpur corridor on November 28.

"Pakistan has already conveyed to India it's decision to open Kartarpura Corridor for Baba Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary. PM Imran Khan will do break ground at Kartarpura facilities on 28th November. We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion," Qureshi tweeted.

His tweet comes a day after Pakistan denied Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, access to Indian Sikh pilgrims. It is learnt that Bisaria was stopped from meeting Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting Nankana Sahib on Wednesday and Thursday. According to Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, over 3800 Sikh pilgrins have been given visas to visit Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur.

However, despite this, Pakistan batted for opening of Kartarpur route. "Indian Cabinet endorsement of Pakistan's proposition on #KartarPurBorderOpening is victory of peace lobby in both countries, its a step towards right direction and we hope such steps ll encourage voice of reasons and tranquility on both sides of the border," Pakistan's Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.

Construction for the corridor on Pakistan's side would be completed by next year, according to The Express Tribune, which also mentioned that a survey regarding the project has already been undertaken. Around 2.5 kilometres of the corridor will be built inside Pakistan's territory.

Earlier, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a Note Verbale to the Pakistani Government, urging it to develop a corridor with suitable facilities in its territory from the International Border to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib to facilitate the easy access and passage of Indian pilgrims throughout the year.

Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu had implored Khan to take reciprocal steps after the Cabinet's decision on Twitter, following which announcements by Qureshi were made.

"I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 Crore 'Nanak Naam Laivas.' It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries... I thank the Govt. of India from the core of my heart and take a bow! I request the Hon'ble PM of Pakistan @ImranKhanPTI Sahib to take reciprocal steps for opening the Kartarpur Sahib corridor and spread Baba Nanak's message of universal brotherhood and peace across the Globe," Sidhu tweeted.