Pakistan rejects Indian media hype on Sikh crossing

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Pakistan on Saturday rejected alleged negative propaganda by the Indian media against the planned opening of a border crossing for Indian Sikh pilgrims.

"We are deeply dismayed at the relentless negative propaganda campaign being waged by a section of the Indian media against Pakistan on the Kartarpur Corridor initiative," said Mohammad Faisal, the Foreign Ministry spokesman.

In a rare gesture of understanding, Pakistan and India have agreed to open a key border crossing next year ahead of the historic birthday of the founder of the Sikh religion.

The opening of the Kartarpur border, which connects Pakistan’s northeastern city of Narowal to India’s eastern Gurdaspur district, will provide visa-free access to Indian Sikhs to visit their holy temple.

The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is one of the most revered sites for the Sikh community, as some 500 years ago, Baba Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last decades of his life here.

The distance between the temple and Gurdaspur is a short hop -- slightly over three kilometers (two miles) -- but when the crossing is closed it forces pilgrims to travel hundreds of kilometers via Amritsar and Lahore to reach the site.

On Wednesday Prime Minister Imran Khan performed the groundbreaking of the new crossing.

Soon after the inauguration, some Indian television channels criticized the presence of Sikh leader Gopal Chawla, who India accuses of supporting a separatist movement, at the event where he shook hands with the Pakistan's army chief.

Responding to the criticism, Pakistan army spokesman Maj, Gen. Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet: "Indian media taking myopic view is selectively showing Mr. Gopal Chawla meeting COAS [Chief of Army Staff] . Army chief met all guests at the venue irrespective of identity ".