Pakistan's Foreign Minister S.M. Qureshi has challenged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the opening of the historic religious corridor on 9 November.
"Modi was reluctant to open the Kartarpur corridor, but agreed later due to public pressure from Indian Sikh community. Stop us if you can; we will open Kartarpur Corridor", Qureshi said during a press conference on Sunday.
He said people in Punjab are ready and there is nothing that Modi can do to stop the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor.
“Modi was reluctant to open the corridor, but agreed later on due to public pressure from #Indian Punjab. Rok Sako To Rok ky dikhao, Will open #KartarpurCorridor, Pakistan's Foreign Minister @SMQureshiPTI challenge to Indian PM #NarendraModi@ashoswaipic.twitter.com/DBucqHU3Ed
— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) October 20, 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the corridor on Pakistan's side while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Indian side on 8 November.
The two countries are yet to agree on a final draft of the Kartarpur agreement. Pakistan proposes $20 per visitor, while India is urging to avoid these charges in the name of maintaining the corridor.
The 4.2km-long corridor is to be opened for pilgrims on the occasion of the 550th Prakash Purb celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev on 9 November.
Despite the tensions between the two-nuclear neighbours over India's decision to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and a dogfight in February this year, the construction of the corridor has not been compromised.
