Have received invitation to attend Kartarpur groundbreaking ceremony in Pakistan: Sidhu

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Former Indian cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu has said he has received an invitation from Prime Minister Imran Khan’s office to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor in Pakistan on November 28th. 

India on Thursday gave the go-ahead to Pakistan’s proposal to build Kartarpur corridor to facilitate Sikh pilgrims wishing to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal District near the Indian border.

Speaking to Indian Express, Sidhu said, “I got a call from Pakistan Prime Minister’s office on Friday. It was the same person who had called me when I was invited for the swearing-in ceremony.”

“I will go if the Government of India allows me to go. It will be a great honour to be a part of history. There will not be a happier moment than the time when my turban touches the ground where Guru Nanak Dev once walked. It was an unfulfilled wish of my parents,” Sidhu added.

When asked if he will attend the ceremony on the Indian side of the border on November 26th, the Indian Punjab local bodies minister said, “I will certainly go if I am invited.”

In an earlier tweet, Sidhu welcomed his government’s decision to accept Pakistan’s proposal to build the Kartarpur corridor saying it will “burn animosity” between the countries.

"I welcome this auspicious step by the Union Cabinet, it will be a cup of joy for 12 crore 'Nanak Naam Laivas'. It will build bridges, burn animosity and will act like a soothing balm for two neighbouring countries," he tweeted.

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The Gurdwara Kartarpur Darbar Sahib in Narowal in Pakistan's Punjab province holds religious significance for the Sikh community. It is where Baba Guru Nanak settled down after his travels as a missionary. He lived there for 18 years until his death in 1539.