Former prime minister and Congress leader, Manmohan Singh is likely to decline Pakistan's invitation for the inaugural function of the Kartarpur Corridor. The invitation was extended on Monday by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, adding that Singh "represents the Sikh community". However, Congress sources said that the former prime minister will give the event a miss.
"We would like to extend an invitation to former Indian PM Manmohan Singh for the inauguration function of Kartarpur Corridor. He also represents the Sikh community. We will also send him a formal invitation," Qureshi said.
The Kartarpur Corridor is scheduled to open on the Pakistan side on November 9, while the Indian side said that the Corridor will witness the movement of people by November 11.
The Corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib. Any Indian-origin person, with an OCI card, can visit the shrine through the Kartarpur Corridor.
Earlier, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would preside over a function to mark the 550th Parkash Purb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev at Sultanpur Lodhi in Punjab on November 9.
Badal, who was addressing an event had said, "Functions will be held at the holy city of Sultanpur Lodhi from November 1-12 as part of 550th celebrations with President of India Ram Nath Kovind presiding over the main event on November 12." Also, various chief ministers along with Home Minister Amit Shah would preside over a function on November 11, Badal had said.
—Zee Media Newsroom
