By Usama Soofi

On November 9^th, 2019 Pakistan opened the Kartarpur Corridor. A much needed link between Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, which is the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur district.

This provided a passage to the devotees of Sikh Community travelling from India and all over the world to pay respects to the shrine that had not been possible before.

Pakistan as a nation state and representative of the Code known to the world as “Islam” truly established herself in the world to be a place where respect is offered not only to the places of religious importance of other faiths; but also to further endorse the concept by extending the same to the followers and devotees of other faiths.

The white in the Green was manifested and glorified; for the people of Pakistan and the people of the world. Such is the innate quality of the spirit that resides in the hearts and minds of our populace; that we never fall short of living up to the true traditions of our Code, “Islam.

The ruling Government at the time was rather quick in taking the credit for the effort. However; the fact remains recorded rightly in history that this was but the vision of Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. Gen Bajwa successfully endorsed his positive mind-set and sharp wit by planning and executing his vision within the same year when Pakistani Armed Forces had already given a befitting response to the War hysteria reflected by the Indian planners during “Operation Swift Retort”.

India has more than ever defined herself being the anti-matter when it comes to the subject of Inter-faith harmony. From Babri Mosque incident to the continuing atrocities in the IIOJK; India has by her own actions established her failure to manifest her self-acclaimed position of being a peace loving secular state.

Additionally; the recent murder of famous singer from the Sikh community Sidhu Moosewala has further tarnished her image. The perpetual negative propaganda of BJP Leadership has further made their position questionable by the recent tweet by Navin Jindal and statement given by Nupur Sharma on live channel; whereby both indulged in Insulting Prophet Mohammed peace be upon him.

The attitude not only nullifies any doubt left amongst the observers across the world but also to the Muslim community residing in India. BJP has clearly been the biggest Advocate of the two nation theory formulated by Mr. Jinnah. It was the Intellectual prowess and clear vision of our Nation’s leader to have identified the real face of “Hindutva” even before it had revealed itself like today.

Today, the world watches in awe and surprise, while several countries in the Gulf region including Qatar and Kuwait have not only recorded their stern complaints to the Indian foreign ministry; but also abandoned various articles of trade goods being imported from India.

The need of the hour clearly indicates a peaceful co-existence between the two countries. A much needed approach as reflected by Gen Bajwa in the creation of Kartarpur Corridor is the required sense of responsibility; favouring stabilized environment and relationship between the two nuclear states. 

• Opinions expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of The South Asia Times