Imran Khan Meets Pro-Khalistan Leader Gopal Singh Chawla Ahead of Kartarpur Corridor Talks With India

Islamabad, March 14: Ahead of Kartarpur Corridor talks with India, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday met Khalistani separatist Gopal Singh Chawla. The pro-Khalistan leader is the General Secretary of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC). Last year in April, photographs of Chawla meeting Jammat-Ud Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed had surfaced. Kartarpur Corridor Talks Today: India to Ask Pakistan Not to Use Holy Shrine For Pro-Khalistan Propaganda.

The pro-Khalistani on the instructions from the Pakistani authorities, even stopped Indian officials from entering Gurudwara Panja Sahib on the occasion of Baisakhi last year. Chawla had also posted a photograph with Navjot Singh Sidhu in November, 2018, when the Punjab Minister was on a visit to the country for attending the foundation stone laying ceremony of the corridor. At the inauguration ceremony, the Khalistani leader was also seen with Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Indian Diplomats Facing Harassment in Pakistan; New Delhi Lodges Complaint With Islamabad.

Meanwhiles, officials from both the countries are holding talks to finalise the modalities for the corridor. The meeting, amid heightened tensions between both countries, is being held to discuss the draft agreement for setting up a dedicated corridor that will allow pilgrims from India to visit the Sikh shrine located in Pakistan without obtaining a visa.

Among other things, India will also take up the Khalistan issue with Pakistan. As per sources, India will ask the neighbouring country to insulate Sikh pilgrims visiting the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib through the corridor from Khalistani separatist propaganda.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 14, 2019 12:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).