Australia hails Pakistan for opening Kartarpur Corridor

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Australia hailed the Pakistani constructive role in the Afghan peace process and in opening of the Kartarpur Corridor.  This was stated during the meeting between Pakistan’s Additional Secretary Asia Pacific Zahoor Ahmed while Australian Deputy Secretary Foreign Affairs department Richard Maude led their respective delegations. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Australia have discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations, including political, economic, trade and investment at the 6th round of Pakistan-Australia Bilateral Political Consultations in Islamabad. The two delegations exchanged views on important global and regional issues. The Australian side was briefed on the Indian government’s aggressive posturing after its illegal and unilateral actions to change the internationally recognized disputed status of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) and alter its demographic structure. Australian side appreciated Pakistani constructive role in the Afghan peace process and in opening of the Kartarpur Corridor. The next round of Pakistan-Australia Bilateral Political Consultations will be held in Canberra on mutually agreed dates. Earlier, UK and Japan welcomed the fact the move would be enable Sikh pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan and promote the relation between the neighbouring countries. In a statement, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Secretary OHTAKA Masato has expressed hope that the opening of Kartarpur Corridor would promote people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and India. He also welcomed the fact that the move would enable Sikh pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan easily and safely. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom (UK) welcomed the opening of Kartarpur Corridor as a step towards regional, religious peace and harmony. In a statement on Twitter, Lord of Wimbledon, who is also UK’s Prime Minister Special envoy on freedom of religious belief said, UK warmly welcomes cooperation and people-to-people links between India and Pakistan. The US welcomed the historic opening of the Kartarpur corridor and described it as a step towards promoting greater religious freedom. In a video message on Twitter, US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said that Washington sees the opening of the corridor as a positive example of neighbours working together for their mutual benefit.