CM of Punjab declines invitation of Pakistan for laying ceremony of foundation stone of Kartarpur Corridor

Capt Amarinder Singh, Prime Minister of Punjab, declined Sunday the invitation of Pakistan to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Kartarpur corridor, across the international border, invoking terrorist attacks in his state and the killing of Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops.

In a letter to Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Singh said it was a historic opportunity, but regretted his inability to be present.

The Chief Minister stated that the reason for his refusal of the invitation was twofold.

"First, not a day goes by without Indian soldiers being killed or wounded on the Jammu and Kashmir checkpoint, rather than returning to normalcy, these incidents intensify," he said. -he declares.

Second, said the chief minister, Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has started its harmful activities in Punjab.

"Since March 2017, the state has neutralized 19 ISI-controlled and armed modules, apprehended 81 terrorists and seized 79 weapons, as well as numerous HG-84 grenades made in Pakistan's munitions factories with the know-how. Austrian, as well as trapped guns, "said the prime minister said.

The last attack took place in Amritsar a few days ago, against a peaceful religious congregation in a village. Three men were killed and 19, including women and children, were wounded, Singh said, adding that the terrorists had been arrested.

"I hope that the Prime Minister (of Pak) will understand these circumstances … It will not be possible for me to be present in Pakistan on this historic occasion, despite the fact that my respects to Gurdwara, Sri Kartarpur Sahib, has always been my cherished dream which, hopefully, will be realized once these hostilities and killings are over, "he said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the opening ceremony of the Kartarpur Corridor on the Pakistan side on November 28th.