Ensuring 'justice' to Kashmiris will open new channels of communication between India, Pak: Imran

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan raked up the Kashmir issue at the inauguration ceremony of the landmark Kartarpur corridor on Saturday and said ensuring "justice" to Kashmiris will open new channels of communication between India and Pakistan and bring about overall improvement in their relationship.

The Kashmir issue has resulted in accumulation of 70 years of hatred between the two countries and it was time both sides attempt to resolve it for charting a new course of development and prosperity for both the countries, he said.

Khan hoped that the opening of the Kartarpur corridor will generate goodwill among the Sikh community spread all over the world and compared the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib with what Medina - a holy city in now Saudi Arabia where Prophet spent last years of his life - meant for Muslims.

In a rare and landmark people-to-people initiative in the midst of their strained bilateral ties over Kashmir, the Kartarpur corridor was thrown open to Indian pilgrims which will provide them a visa-free entry to one of Sikhism's holiest shrines in Pakistani town of Narowal.

Khan inaugurated the corridor by removing a curtain that was lifted by hot air balloons in the presence of thousands of Sikhs from across the world including India. A huge 'kirpan' (dagger) was displayed at the inauguration site.

"I am happy we could do this for you," he told a gathering of over 12,000 devotees, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Union minister Hardeep Puri, former Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu.

"Believe me, I had no idea of the importance this place holds; I found out a year ago," he said.

Ensuring "justice" to Kashmiris will open new channels of communication between India and Pakistan and bring about overall improvement in the bilateral relationship, Khan said, referring to the abrogation of the Article 370 provisions.

"Hope one day our relationship will improve," he said.

Guru Nanak Dev spent last 18 years of his life at Kartarpur Sahib, which has now become the world's largest Sikh Gurdawara.

Citing the examples of Prophet Muhammad, Nelson Mandela and Sufi saints, Khan said a true leader always brings people together.

"I am always so happy to see the Sikh community who have come here. God lives in the hearts of all of us. All the messengers who have come and gone only ever brought two messages, that of peace and justice," he said.

Earlier, Khan visited different units of Gurdawara Darbar Sahib.

Prime Minister Khan welcomed the first batch of the Indian Sikh pilgrims who entered Pakistan through the corridor which links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur.

Khan shook hand with former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and exchanged pleasantries.

Speaking on the occasion, Sidhu told Khan, "You have won hearts."