Kartarpur Corridor: Navjot Singh Sidhu Writes Another Letter to MEA For Political Clearance, Says 'Respond or I Will Go to Pakistan Without Permission'

New Delhi, November 7: Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday sent another letter to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) seeking political clearance to visit Pakistan for the Kartarpur Corridor inauguration. In his letter, Navjot Singh Sidhu said that if the government denied him permission, he would not go to Pakistan. "But if you (the government) don't respond to my third letter, then I will proceed to Pakistan as millions of Sikh devotees go on eligible visa," Sidhu asserted. Kartarpur Corridor: Two Days Before Inaugural Jatha, Pakistan Yet to Confirm List of Dignitaries Sent by India, Says MEA.

Sidhu said that despite his repeated requests, the MEA has not responded to him over political clearance to visit Pakistan for the Kartarpur Corridor inauguration. "Despite repeated reminders, you haven't responded to whether or not the government has granted me permission to go to Pakistan for the inauguration ceremony of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Corridor," Sidhu wrote to the MEA. He said that he was not able to decide his future course of action due to no response from the ministry. Kartarpur Corridor: Pakistan Army Contradicts PM Imran Khan, Says Indian Sikh Pilgrims 'Will Require Passport' to Visit Shrine.

"The delay and no response is a hindrance to my future course of action. I categorically state that if the government has any inhibitions and says no, then as a law-abiding citizen, I will not go," the Congress leader stated. Sidhu has been invited by the Imran Khan government to attend the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor on November 9. The cricketer-turned-politician accepted the invite. All Indian guests invited by Pakistan will have to take political clearance from the government.

Navjot Singh Sidhu's Letter to MEA:

On the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan, ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf senator Faisal Javed had contacted Sidhu and extended the invitation to him earlier this week. Sidhu said that the Sikh community all over the world looks forward to visit the holy shrine associated with their spiritual leader Guru Nanak Dev. The inaugural ceremony is scheduled three days before the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 07, 2019 05:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).