CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and urged the Centre to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, saying if cricket can be played with Pakistan, devotees should also be allowed to visit Kartarpur Sahib.
Mann, who was accompanied by his wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur, told reporters that he prayed for peace, progress and harmony in Punjab while offering prayers at the Golden Temple.
Responding to a question on the Kartarpur Corridor, the Chief Minister said the Centre should reopen it without waiting for formal requests. “If someone writes to them, what is the use of reopening it? They should reopen it on their own. Now cricket matches are also being played with them (Pakistan). Devotees also return 4–5 hours after paying obeisance at Kartarpur Sahib,” he said.
Mann added that both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs should take steps to reopen the corridor. “Trade with them (Pakistan) is going on through Gujarat. Matches are also being played with them. The people of both countries want peace,” he said.
