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The Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Punjab province was built at the site where Guru Nanak died on September 22, 1539. Image Credit: Online

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday welcomed India’s decision to build a corridor from Punjab to Pakistan’s Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak.

Calling the Indian cabinet decision a victory for the peace lobby in both countries, Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said New Delhi’s move was an endorsement of Islamabad’s proposition on the issue.

“It is a step in the right direction and we hope such steps will encourage voice of reason and tranquillity on both sides of the border,” Chaudhry tweeted.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shahd Mehmood Qureshi said that Prime Minister Imran Khan will lay the foundation stone for Kartarpur corridor on November 28.

The corridor’s opening will form part of Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary celebrations.

“We welcome the Sikh community to Pakistan for this auspicious occasion,” the Minister added.

Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, which is three kilometres from the India-Pakistan border, is the final resting place of Guru Nanak, who founded Sikhism.

India had urged Pakistan to build a corridor to Katarpur Sahib to facilitate easy movement of Indian pilgrims to the shrine.

Kartarpur Sahib is situated in Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province and there have been demands to build a corridor linking it with Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.

“Pakistan has already conveyed to India its 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 said in a tweet.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India has approached the Pakistani government to recognise the sentiments of the Sikh community and build the corridor, in keeping with the resolution adopted by the Cabinet Thursday to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev next year.

In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said Pakistan Prime Minister (Imran) Khan has proposed in writing to hold talks on all issues, including Kartarpura, but India refused to come forward.

He said Pakistan’s efforts were continuing and it issued 3,838 visas to Indian Sikhs to visit Pakistan to attend religious ceremonies.

“We on our part will continue our efforts but we cannot do much unless there is response from the other side,” Faisal said.