Prime Minister Imran Khan said Saturday that poverty in the sub-continent could be eradicated through opening up the border for trade, besides resolving the issue of Kashmir through talks.

He was addressing to 12000 Sikh pilgrims from around the world on the inaugural ceremony of Kartarpur corridor. Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, Bollywood star and ruling party MLA Sunny Deol and others also spoke on the occasion. The occasion was also graced by former Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh, incumbent Chief Minister Indian Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh (retd) and other luminaries from both sides of the border. Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar, Federal Ministers and advisors and special assistants to Prime Minister Imran Khan were also present on the occasion.

After unveiling the plaque, Prime Minister Imran Khan told the visiting pilgrims that he had contacted Indian Prime Minister Modi immediately after assuming his office and shared his views on poverty in the two countries.

"I told Modi that poverty is a big problem, which can be overcome by opening up trade through the borders. It would bring prosperity to the people of both sides."

He recalled his meeting with the then Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his visit to India to attend a conclave and told the audience that Dr Singh had told him that the whole sub-continent could progress with the resolution of the Kashmir issue. He said he had repeated the same to Modi in his telephonic conversation.

He said the atrocities in Kashmir are not a territorial matter but it has become an issue of humanity. "Eight million Kashmiris have been locked up and they are being treated like animals. Their right to self-determination has been subjugated, which is protected by the UN resolutions," he stressed.

He said he would like to tell Modi that only justice can bring peace to the region. "If Modi is listening to me, I would like to say that only justice can bring peace. Injustice would spread anarchy. Therefore, give justice to the people of Kashmir and let them live like human beings."

He agreed with a proposal of Navjot Singh Sidhu that opening up of border with India to start trade would bring prosperity to the people of two sides of the border.

He congratulated the Sikh community over the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev. He also appreciated the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and other departments for developing the site within a short span of 10 months. "I had no idea that my government is so efficient. It means that we can do much more," he said with a big smile on his face.

He said all the messengers of Allah had brought the message of humanity and justice. These two attributes differentiate humans from animals. "The philosophy of survival of the fittest cannot be a humane approach," he added.

He said Guru Nanak Dev Jee's philosophy is all about humanity and justice. He united human beings while negating divisiveness and hatred among human beings.

He said the leading Sufis in the sub-continent such as Baba Fareed Ganj-e-Shakar, Nizam-ud-Din Aulia had devoted themselves for humanity. The whole Sikh community has also gathered here today for the same purpose, he added.

He said he was happy for taking the initiative of opening up Kartarpur border to the Sikh community. I had no idea regarding the importance of Kartarpur for Sikhs. I came to know about it a year back. Just imagine that they were used to watch the Samadhi of Bab Guru Nanak from a distance of four kilometres.

He said all the leaders unite people. They do not spread hatred to get votes, he stressed.

According to him, Nelson Mandela would always be appreciated for his dedication towards humanity during the era of apartheid in South Africa. But a leader like Mandela who had spent 27 years in jail forgave the oppressors and saved South Africa from bloodshed. Our Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had also given importance to the wellbeing of humanity. His path has been followed by all the Sufis.

While terming the opening up of Kartarpur border a beginning, he expressed the hope that the Pak-India relations would improve one day. Had Kashmir issue being resolved right after Independence, the relationship could have been much better between us. One day, he said and added that Pakistan and India would also live together like France and Germany as the two European countries which were bitter enemies in the past are developing trade relations with each other.

APP adds: "I hope, this is a beginning. Insha Allah, one day, our relations with India will be as it should have been had the Kashmir issue been resolved in the beginning," the prime minister said.

Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Nurul Haq Qadri said the inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor was the greatest message of peace after the partition in 1947.

He said the prime minister had fulfilled his commitment to provide access to Sikh community to visit their holy shrines.

He said while being in Baghdad, Baba Guru Nanak used to visit the shrine of Imam Kazim daily which gave a message of harmony as he had devoted his life for peace and harmony.

The Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh said by opening of Kartarpur Corridor, the 70-year old demand of Sikhs had been fulfilled for what they were thankful to both the governments.

He said the Muslims and Sikhs shared religious values as Baba Guru Nanak had also taught oneness of Allah and had spent a long time here in this area.

Calling for promotion of the philosophy of Baba Guru Nanak for peace and unity, he said around 10,000 Sikhs resided in Pakistan who should also be provided a similar facility to let them visit the shrines in India.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Novjot Singh Sidhu also addressed the ceremony.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019