Srinagar/New Delhi, December 1: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to open a corridor to Sharda Peeth, also spelt as Sharda, in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the lines of one proposed to Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in Narowal district in Pakistan.

"Kartarpur has encouraged the Pandit community to see a possibility of pilgrimage to Sharda Peeth...and our belief is strengthened by the reported offer by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow it along with pilgrimage to Katas Raj," Mebhooba Mufti wrote in her letter to PM Modi. She added that every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir would welcome a step in this regard. J&K Political Row: After Fax Fiasco, Omar Abdullah & Mehbooba Mufti Laud Governor Satya Pal Malik For 'Not Looking to Delhi'.

Earlier, Mufti welcomed Pakistan’s offer on opening several shrines, including Shardapeeth, to devotees from India, saying PM Modi should consider the offer. “Great initiative of offering peace through these channels. PM @narendramodi ji should consider the offer by PakPM (Pakistan Prime Minister) @ImranKhanPTI for opening of SharadaPeeth in Kashmir, Katasraj & other shrines too this will certainly bridge the gap & usher peace in region (sic),” Mehbooba said in a tweet. How Governor's 'Malfunctioning' Fax Machine Added to the Anti-Climatic Political Drama.

The decision to build the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara corridor, which would facilitate the Sikh pilgrims to visit and return from the shrine without any passport or travel document the same day, was taken by the Union Cabinet on November 22. Imran Khan held the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor on the Pakistani side on November 28.

Following the historic development, a demand intensified for the reopening of Shardapeeth temple, one of the holiest religious shrines of Kashmiri Pandits, in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The ancient temple is located in PoK's Sharda village along the Kishenganga river.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 01, 2018 05:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).