UN chief applauds Pakistan’s desire for peace in the region

Kartarpur Corridor – a landmark 4-km long route that facilitates Indian Sikhs to make a pilgrimage to the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib on Pakistani territory  – is “a practical proof of Pakistan‘s desire for peace and interfaith harmony” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.

The UN Chief called the corridor a “good step” that would help promote interfaith harmony as he called his visit “a very emotional moment.”

“It is wonderful to see interfaith dialogue. It is wonderful to see in the same shrine today Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, maybe Hindus — all worshipping in harmony and in peace,” he said in a statement as he continued his three-day visit to Pakistan.

During the visit Guterres met with top leaders, addressed the students and also expressed support for campaign to eliminate polio.

“This is the best symbol that we can give for a world in peace and for a world in which there is mutual respect and there is the acceptance of what is different — recognizing that diversity is a blessing, is a richness, not a threat,” the world’s top diplomat said.

“When we see so many parts of the world fighting in the name of religion, it’s necessary to say that religions unite us for peace and the best symbol is this shrine.”

“I also want to take profit of this occasion.  I’ve been in Amritsar, today I’m here, to pay tribute to the contribution of the Sikh community all over the world for our planet.  I’m a Christian but I feel very much at home when I am in a Sikh shrine and where I can pray to God here together with the Sikh community,” Guterres added.

Around 5,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims travel visa-free daily through the corridor that links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur – where the founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak spent his final days – to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Indian Punjab.

Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the corridor November 9 last year at the height of tensions between Pakistan and India over disputed Kashmir region. New Delhi ended autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir that it controls on August 5, 2019 incurring a cascade of international criticism for the blanket clampdown and violation of fundamental human rights.

During his visit to Pakistan, UN Chief Guterres has renewed his offer to mediate a resolution to the longstanding bone of contention between the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbors. Islamabad has welcomed the offer while the BJP Government – led by nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi – has ruled out any mediatory role for third party.

While visiting Kartarpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Guterres wrapped his head with a traditional Sikh turban, and met Sikh religious leaders.

The organizers also hosted him to a traditional meal of rice and lentils and presented him with mementos to commemorate the visit.

Guterres had warm words of praise for Pakistan’s solidarity and compassion in hosting Afghan refugees. 

He called the country’s example a remarkable blueprint that the rest of the world should follow.  

The world’s ace diplomat also called for a renewed push for peace in Afghanistan as the United States and Pakistan collaborate efforts to reach a peace deal to end the long-running conflict.

“I am closely following vital peace efforts in Afghanistan to reduce violence, especially against civilians. By building regional consensus, Pakistan’s role in this process remains crucial,” he said in a Twitter post.

The UN Secretary General also appreciated Pakistan’s leading participation in UN peackeeping missions.