Program 'crystal clear', Sidhu seeks nod to visit Pak for Kartarpur

After being extended an official invitation from the Pakistan government to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor, Punjab MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu, on Wednesday has yet again written to the External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar requesting permission to attend the inaugural ceremony. Stating that the program is 'crystal clear' he has asked permission to cross over the border at 9:30 AM on 9 November, prior to the ceremony. He stated that he wished to meditate at the Gurudwara prior to the ceremony.

READ | Sidhu gets Pakistan's invite number '0001' for Kartarpur inauguration

Sidhu writes to EAM

He added that if that was not possible, he would want to travel to Pakistan through the Wagah border on 8 November and stay overnight at Gurudwara Darbar Sahib. He also informed the Ministry that he currently did not hold a visa for Pakistan. Sidhu, who resigned from the Punjab cabinet also skipped a special Assembly session on Wednesday to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev. Vice President Venkaiah Naidu had addressed the Assembly.

Here's his letter requesting the same:

READ| Kartarpur: Sidhu writes to MEA, seeks permission for Pakistan visit

Pakistan invites Sidhu

Earlier on Monday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan extended an official invitation to the inauguration ceremony of the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur Corridor bearing  serial number 0001 to Navjot Singh Sidhu. The Punjab MLA had earlier written to the EAM seeking permission for the same. He had earlier informally accepted the invite for the ceremony, last week.

READ| Punjab CM urges Pak's Imran Khan to extend token Kartarpur waiver

Sidhu attended Imran Khan's swearing-in

Previously in 2018, Sidhu had attended the oath-taking ceremony of Pakistan’s then-PM elect Imran Khan in Islamabad, as per reports. Sidhu had reportedly stated that he was an “ardent fan” of Imran and they had known each other for nearly 35 years. Sidhu had reportedly claimed that he was a messenger of goodwill and was participating in Imran's happiness. Sidhu had been heavily criticized for attending the Pak PM's inauguration over attending former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's funeral. 

WATCH | Pakistan releases Kartarpur song with pro-Khalistani leaders' pictures

Kartapur Corridor agreement signed

Meanwhile, on October 24, India and Pakistan signed a landmark agreement to operationalise the historic Kartarpur Corridor to allow Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the holy Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. The corridor will be opened by Pakistan on November 9. Both the countries have also decided that the corridor will be operational throughout the year and seven days a week and that pilgrims will have a choice to visit it as individuals or in groups. Pakistan has finally waived the $ 20 service fee per pilgrim on Friday, after facing severe criticism for not doing so. But, Pakistan is yet to approve the complete list of the pilgrims to visit Kartarpur on November 9.