Pakistan rejects baseless Indian media reports about Kartarpur

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Monday completely rejected baseless reports which appeared in a section of the Indian media and were attributed to “intelligence sources” stating they ought to be treated with the contempt.

The reports in question had insinuated the presence of alleged militant “training camps” in Narowal near the Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.

“Pakistan’s Kartarpur spirit is aimed at facilitating Nanak Naamlevas, especially Sikhs, to visit one of their most revered places of worship and promoting inter-faith harmony,” a statement from the Foreign Office said.

The Foreign Office statement said the content of the media reports in question is part of a malicious propaganda campaign in India that cannot be condemned enough.

“The content of the media reports in question is part of a malicious propaganda campaign in India that cannot be condemned enough.”

According to the FO statement, unfounded allegations about Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib being used for any purpose other than worship are a deliberate attempt to misrepresent Pakistan’s goodwill gesture, undermine the corridor initiative, and hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs all over the world.

“We have no doubt that such mischievous attempts will be rejected with the contempt that they deserve.”

Prime Minister Khan will inaugurate the Kartarpur corridor on November 9, ahead of the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak. Pakistan and India signed an agreement last month after tough negotiations.

Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is located 4.5km from the international border in Narowal district and is one of the holiest places for Sikhs.

The four-kilometre-long corridor would provide Sikh pilgrims visa-free travel to Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur and up to 5,000 Indian Sikhs would be allowed access daily.