ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is reportedly taking steps to open Sharda Temple corridor in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) for Hindu pilgrims, particularly in the neighbouring country.Some media outlets, citing sources in the foreign ministry, reported that government officials would visit the Sharda Temple and submit a report to the Prime Minister.According to reports, the foreign affairs ministry said New Delhi had already sent a proposal to open the Sharda Temple corridor.The move comes after the ground-breaking of Kartarpur corridor – a project to connect Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Narowal with Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur.Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member of the National Assembly (MNA) Dr Ramesh Kumar was quoted as saying: "Pakistan government has decided to open the Sharda temple. I am going to visit the place in a couple of days. I will also send a report in this regard to Prime Minister Imran Khan. Work on the project will start from the current year after which Hindus in Pakistan will also be able to visit the site." Reacting to media reports, the former chief minister of Indian occupied Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti said that opening of Sharda Peeth in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) can ease Indo-Pak tensions.Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “Not too long ago I had written to PM imploring GoI to reopen Sharda Peeth, a Temple across LoC for Kashmiri Pandits. An initiative like this at a time when Indo - Pak tensions are at an all time high could help navigate the current impasse,” Sharda Temple is believed to be one of the most ancient temples of Hindus. Close to the temple, there is a pond called ‘Madomati’.Last year, PM Imran Khan had performed ground-breaking of four kilometres-long Kartarpur corridor in Narowal. The ceremony was followed by religious rituals of the Sikh community. The corridor will facilitate the Sikh pilgrims visiting their most sacred sites in Pakistan.
03-26-2019, 09:03 AM
Pakistan to open Sharda Temple corridor for Indian pilgrims: report
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