Chandigarh: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has reportedly said that despite tensions with India, Pakistan stands ready to open the Kartarpur Corridor and welcome the Sikhs on the occasion of 550th Parkash Gurpurb of Guru Nanak Ji.
Speaking to a delegation of civil society and parliamentarians of Afghanistan, which is currently visiting Pakistan for the ‘Track-II dialogue, Beyond Boundaries’, the foreign minister said the current tensions with India would not affect Islamabad’s relationship with Kabul.
“Despite our tensions with India, we have decided go ahead with Kartarpur Corridor and we stand ready to welcome the Sikh pilgrims for the 550th anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak”, Shah Mehmood Qureshi reportedly told the delegation.
⊕ ALSO READ – ਕਰਤਾਰਪੁਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦਾ ਲਾਂਘਾ: ਕੀ, ਕਦੋਂ, ਕਿਵੇਂ ਤੇ ਕਿਉਂ?
He also said that current tension with India will not affect Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan. “Border [with Afghanistan] will not be closed nor trade will stop,” he said. “Why should Afghans suffer because of the idiosyncratic behaviour of Narendra Modi”, he reportedly added.
“Despite tensions with India, Pakistan is totally focused on the situation and its role in Afghanistan. It [Kashmir situation] can be a huge distraction but we are very clear what we need to do in Afghanistan,” he added while responding to a question if escalation with India can distract Pakistan.