Sidhu accepts Imran’s invite for Kartarpur inauguration

Former Indian cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has accepted Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s invitation to attend the opening ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor on November 9.

According to a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) press release, Sidhu thanked the Pak PM for inviting him to the inauguration.

“I’m grateful to the prime minister for inviting me to the historic inauguration of Kartarpur corridor,” he was quoted as saying.

On the directives of Imran, PTI senator Faisal Javed contacted Sidhu and extended the invitation.

Sidhu said the Sikh community all over the world look forward to visit the holy shrine associated with their spiritual leader Guru Nanak.

“The Kartarpur corridor agreement sends a positive message to millions of Sikhs around the world,” he is quoted as having said by the Pakistani media.

Political clearance would have to be sought by those invited by Pakistan for the inaugural ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor, ministry of external affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan invited Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu.

“I think political personalities or invitees who think they need to get a political clearance, and those not included in the list will know about it. There won’t be surprises,” ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

“My understanding is that the normal rules for seeking political clearance for such visits will apply,” he added.

Sidhu, who had attended the ground-breaking ceremony of Kartarpur corridor, has not been included in the Congress delegation, which will be visiting the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur on November 9.