Pakistan's Army Chief Assures Restoration of Flood-Hit Sikh Shrine

Islamabad, Aug 29 (PTI) – Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, announced on Friday that religious sites, including the Sikh shrine Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, damaged by recent floods, would be restored to their original state. Field Marshal Munir, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), surveyed flood-stricken regions in Punjab province – covering areas like Sialkot sector, Shakargarh, Narowal, and Kartarpur—to assess the flood conditions and the ongoing aid operations, as per an army statement. Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province, has endured severe flooding for nearly a week. At least 22 fatalities have been reported in the last 24 hours, and some 1,700 villages, including the revered Sikh site of Kartarpur, are submerged. The COAS received an in-depth briefing on the current situation and the preparedness for upcoming rain spells. Munir met with the affected Sikh community and offered assurances that all religious sites impacted by the floods, including Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, will be promptly restored to their original condition. The Sikh community greeted the COAS warmly in the Sialkot sector, expressing gratitude for the support from the civil administration and the Army during the crisis. Pakistan inaugurated the Kartarpur Corridor in November 2019. The corridor, located approximately 4.1 kilometers from the Pakistan-India border, connects Pakistan's Gurdwara Darbar Sahib—where the Sikhism founder, Guru Nanak Dev, resided and passed away in the early 16th century—to Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur district. The 4 km-long corridor allows Indian pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib without a visa. On Wednesday, the local administration and army personnel rescued about 150 officials and Sikh pilgrims stranded after water from the Ravi River engulfed the Kartarpur Corridor complex, including the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. There are concerns regarding damage to the structure, the Sikh holy book, and relics. The field marshal also conducted an aerial survey of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. In discussions with civil administration representatives, the COAS praised their proactive measures, which helped minimize casualties and property damage. During interactions with the troops, he lauded their high morale, operational readiness, and dedication to serving the nation.

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