New Delhi/Islamabad, March 21: Days after Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu requested Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to not erect structures on the fields surrounding the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, Islamabad accepted his plea. Navjot Singh Sidhu wrote a letter to Imran Khan, highlighting that the fields around Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara were cultivated by Guru Nanak Dev himself and should be retained.

Responding positively to Sindhu's request, the Pakistan government has announced that no construction would be taken up on the land surrounding the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. In his reaction, Sidhu said the development "is indeed a cup of joy for the Sikhs world-over". The Congress leader issued a statement on Wednesday and said the Pakistan government's decision was "worth gratitude". Should Questions Be Raised over Kartarpur Corridor Just Because of 3-4 People, Asks Sidhu.

"Anything that fulfils the wishes of 12 Crore Nanak Naam Levas is exemplary and worth gratitude… The land that Baba Nanak ploughed with his hand will now inspire generations to come. His message “Naam Japo, Kirat Karo, Vand Sakho” is immortal. It is indeed a cup of joy for the Sikhs world-over!" Sidhu said in a statement. The Punjab minister recently faced flak for pitching for dialogue between India and Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack, which left 40 CRPF personnel killed.

Sidhu was among the invitees for the swearing-in ceremony of Imran Khan as Pakistan prime minister last year. The cricketer-turned-politician also attended the November event where Khan laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur corridor at Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. India Aims to Complete Its Part of Kartarpur Corridor Work Before Pakistan: Rajnath Singh.

The Indian government, on the eve of Guru Purab on November 22 last year, approved the construction of Kartarpur Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the India-Pakistan International Border. The Pakistan government had also confirmed the corridor’s opening. The Kartarpur route, along with the India-Pakistan border, is 3 kms away from Gurdaspur in Punjab.

Once functional, the corridor would allow Sikh pilgrims direct access to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan, where Guru Nanak passed away in 1539.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2019 12:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).