Punjab Congress Chief Backs Sidhu, Says ‘Ball In Modi Government’s Court’ On Responding To Pakistan’s Offer

Punjab Congress President Sunil Jakhar on Monday came out in support of Navjot Singh Sidhu, a minister in the state government, on the issue of hugging Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Times of India reported.

Jakhar also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not clarifying his government’s stand on Pakistan’s offer to open the route to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Pakistan for Guru Nanak’s 550th birth anniversary in 2019.

According to the Indian Express, Bajwa had expressed his desire to open a to route Sikh pilgrimage sites in Pakistan’s Punjab — Kartarpur and Nankana Sahab.

Hinting that the government should respond to Pakistan’s offer, Jakhar said “now the ball is in the court of the government of India”.

This comes amid reports that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence and the Army are actively involved in the campaign for a separate Sikh state of Khalistan. Indian agencies have managed to get documents from the computer of a top ranking Pakistan Army official, which give insight into Pakistan’s plans.

Earlier this year, Pakistan had tried to incite the Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting the country by making inflammatory remarks and displaying propaganda posters titled “Sikh referendum: 2020 Khalistan” in gurdwaras and other shrines.

Pakistan had also not allowed Indian High Commission officials in Islamabad, including the High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria, to visit the pilgrims.