Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar has said that the incumbent Government took a major initiative last year by announcing opening of Kartarpur Corridor to provide access to Sikh devotees to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib on the request of Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu. He underlined that the Government is committed to timely completion of the corridor which will provide easy access to Sikh devotees besides promoting religious tourism. The Minister noted that Prime Minister had performed the ground breaking of the Corridor on November 28, 2018 and will inaugurate the Corridor in November this year. The Minister was chairing a meeting on development of Gurdwara Kartarpur Corridor here today in Islamabad. Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, Secretary Religious Affairs, Director General FWO Maj. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, Members Planning Commission, Commissioner Gujranwala, representatives from NESPAK and high level officials of the ministry were present during the occasion. The Minister highlighted that the gesture shown by Pakistan reflects its resolve to promote peace in the region and maintain cordial relations with all neighbours including India. He underscored that the corridor will be developed in stipulated time so that the Sikh devotees are able to perform their religious rituals on the upcoming 550th birthday celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev. During the meeting, DG FWO gave a detailed briefing to the participants about the progress on development of the corridor, including, construction of border terminal buildings, langar khana, Gurdwara complex and a bridge. He apprised that technical details and designs have been shared with the Indian side and the work was in full swing. He said that all cultural, religious and social issues have been taken care while developing the corridor. He further informed that a media visit will be arranged soon to the corridor for a briefing on its development. The meeting decided to constitute a technical committee comprising relevant stakeholders to look into the matters of land acquisition, cost sharing mechanism and other technical issues. *** AS/NR ?
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