While the Pakistan government is still dillydallying over details regarding the Kartarpur Corridor USD 20 entry fee and the requirement of a passport, Navjot Singh Sidhu has confirmed his presence at the inauguration of the ceremony on November 9.
Dr. Mohammad Faisal, official spokesperson of the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed Sidhu’s attendance saying that he would be issued a Pakistani visa to facilitate his travels.
Sidhu was also present at the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Imran Khan last year, alongside attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor.
Sidhu, though, being an elected representative of the Indian state of Punjab, would need political clearance from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to attend any ceremony held in Pakistan.
He had written to the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) asking them if they had any inhibitions regarding his visit. He had said that if he received no response to the letter sent to the MEA, he would visit the shrine like “any other pilgrim”.
Spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also received a formal invitation by Pakistan to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.
“The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor and promotion of religious tourism also coincides with your objective of Violence-Free World,” the invitation letter sent to Ravi Shankar read. However, according to reports, he is unlikely to attend the same due to being caught up with prior arrangements.
In September, it was reported that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too would be extended an invitation for the inauguration. However, former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal had then said the invitation to Singh was a mischievous move by Pakistan to drive a wedge between Singh’s Congress and Modi’s BJP.
Captain Amarinder Singh, Punjab’s Chief Minister had since extended an invitation to Singh and President Ram Nath Kovind to attend the ceremony, which Singh had readily accepted.
Related:
https://sabrangindia.in/article/centuries-old-sikh-heritage-shrine-vandalised-pakistan
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