Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Kartarpur, the religious site of the Sikh community affected by the flood, on Friday. While meeting with the Sikh community, he reaffirmed the state’s commitment to protecting minority communities and their spiritual heritage. He assured to fully restore all the religious sites damaged by the ongoing flood, including the Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.
He also visited the flood-hit areas of Punjab, including the Sialkot sector, Shakargarh, Narowal, and Kartarpur. He reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief operations going on in these areas and received briefings from the staff on the situation and preparations ahead of the expected new rain spell. Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Narowal district is one of the Sikhism’s holiest sites in Pakistan, and is believed to be the final resting place of the Sikh leader Guru Nanak Singh.
“It is the responsibility of the state and its institutions to safeguard minorities and their places of worship,” the ISPR quoted the army chief as saying. “The state of Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to uphold its responsibility towards the minorities,” he added.
The site was partially submerged in the floodwater after the Ravi River overflowed its bank, triggering some of the worst flooding in Punjab in over a decade, according to media reports. The visuals appearing from the religious site showed floodwaters inundating the site up to four feet. Water also entered the sanctum, though authorities confirmed that the sacred sarup of Guru Granth Sahib ji and the volunteers were safely relocated to the upper floor.
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“The community thanked the army chief for the services being extended by the civil administration and the army during the calamity,” the ISPR stated.
The flooding has forced the temporary closure of the Kartarpur corridor, a cross-border passage connecting the shrine with India’s Gurdaspur district. Indian officials also confirmed that parts of the corridor are underwater and are currently not accessible to the Sikh pilgrims.
While interacting with the members of the Sikh community affected by flooding, Field Marshal Asim Munir assured them that the religious site will be revived to their original conditions on a priority basis.