Punjab CM Amarinder Singh declines Pakistan invitation for Kartarpur corridor event

He stated that continued terrorist attacks in Punjab and killing of Indian soldiers by Pakistani armed forces was the reason behind his decision.

Singh tweeted: "Always cherished dream to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Regret to decline invite of @SMQureshiPTI @ForeignOfficePk for Kartarpur Sahib Corridor ceremony. Cannot go while killings of Indian soldiers & terror attacks in Punjab continue. May Waheguru bless us with peace & amity!."

Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu will visit Pakistan to attend the event.

Sushma Swaraj won't travel to Pakistan:

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will also not attend the event.

She was invited to attend the event by her counterpart Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Thanking Qureshi for the invitation, Swaraj tweeted: "I thank HE Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi Foreign Minister of Pakistan for inviting me to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor on the Pakistan side of the International boundary on 28 November 2018. /1."

Swaraj said  Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Puri will travel to the Asian nation for the event and represent the Indian government.

"Since I am unable to travel to Kartarpur Sahib on the scheduled date, Government of India will be represented by my esteemed colleagues Mrs.Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Mr.H.S.Puri," Swaraj said.

Kartarpur is a small town in district Narowal, 4 km from the Pakistan- India border, where the founder of the Sikh religion, Baba Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life.

Subsequently, Gurdwara Darbar Sahab was built at the site on the Pakistan side and Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak in India, which are visited by thousands of Sikhs every year. 

As per the Pakistan Foreign Office statement: "Opening the corridor will allow Sikh Yatrees ease of access for their most reverential place of worship which has been their longstanding demand. This is also reflective of the importance and primacy that Pakistan gives to all minorities."

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the groundbreaking ceremony of the facilities at the crossing on the Pakistan side on Nov 28.

Terror Attack in Punjab:

A grenade attack at Nirankari Bhawan during a religious ceremony in Amritsar's Adhiwala village last Sunday left at least three people killed.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said the grenade which was used during the recent blast in Amritsar city was made in Pakistan.

Speaking to the media, Singh said: "The grenade used in Amritsar was made in Pakistan."

"This is a pure case of terrorism," he had said

The Punjab Police on Saturday said they have arrested the main accused of the attack.

The arrested person has been identified as Avtar Singh.

Avtar Singh would be produced in the court and the police would seek his remand, DGP Suresh Arora was quoted as saying by The Tribune newspaper. 

Image: Amarinder Singh Twitter page