President Dr Arif Alvi said on Monday that Pakistan was advocating love and peace as wars were not the solution of issues which should be resolved through dialogues.
While speaking at a luncheon hosted in honour of more than 2,000 Sikh Yatrees across the world here at Governor's House on Monday, the President said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has always been determined to spread message of peace and friendship with neighbouring countries.
Terming Kartarpur Corridor as a great gift for Sikh community, the president said this corridor will bring peace and spread love. Warmly welcoming Sikh yatrees in Pakistan, the president said that they (Sikh yatrees) should convey Pakistan's message of love wherever they go. He said Sikh religion also teaches peace and friendship. He urged Sikh yatrees to keep visiting Pakistan again and again so that relations are improved.
Sikh yatrees expressed joy over the arrangements regarding 550th birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak and opening of Kartarpur Corridor project, whereas the Sikh yatrees also performed 'Bhangras'. Federal Ministers Fawad Ch and Peer Noor ul Haq Qadri and others were also present.
President Arif Alvi said that Pakistan has given a message of peace after inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor project. He congratulated the religious, tourism and heritage committee working under the leadership of Ch Mohammad Sarwar for making arrangements for Kartarpur opening ceremony and 550th birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak.
Addressing on the occasion, Sarwar said Pakistan was a safe country for minorities, adding that we were working for restoration of religious places of not only Sikh community but also other minorities including Christians and Hindus.
The Governor said that Pakistan always stood by minorities but on the other side, life has become difficult for the minorities in India as Indian Supreme court decision in Babari Masjid case was a result of RSS and Indian leaders' pressure on its judiciary.
He said India was committing genocide of innocent Kashmiris in occupied Kashmir as 99 days have been passed since imposition of curfew in occupied valley, due to which even basic facilities were not available to Kashmiris, adding that the time has come to take notice of Indian atrocities and to get freedom for Kashmiris besides ensuring protection of minorities in India. "We will promote liberalism in Pakistan and would eradicate extremism, the way we eliminated the terrorism from country".
On the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi and Governor Punjab Ch Mohammad Sarwar presented shields to project head Kartarpur brigadier Atif, CEO LESCO Mujahid Pervaiz Chatha, District Management officers of Nankana, Gujranwala and Narowal for their outstanding performance for the provision of facilities in Kartarpur and Nankana Saheb.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019