In a sensational development, Pakistan is all set to open the Sharda Temple corridor in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, an important decision which the country sees as another big step towards making peace with India after the Kartarpur corridor.
The country’s interest to open the Sharda Temple corridor is deemed as a second big step that Islamabad will take to help the Hindu pilgrims in India. It has been learnt that Hindu pilgrims had demanded facilitation for ‘Sharda Devi temple’ similar to that of Kartarpur corridor.
According to the sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had already sent a proposal to open the corridor. “After Kartarpur, a piece of big news is in the offing for Hindus. Some of the government officials will visit the area and later submit a report to the prime minister,” an official of MOFA said.
FYI, Sharda Devi temple is one of the ancient temples located in the Neelum Valley in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir at the edge of the Line of Control.
The Hindu temple is said to be at least 5,000 years old and was established in 237 BC during Ashoka’s period. Interestingly, the temple is attached to a pond known as ‘Madomati’ and the water is known to be sacred.
Ramesh Kumar, who is the member of the National Assembly of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also confirmed the news. “Pakistan has decided to open the Sharda temple. I am going to visit the place in a couple of days. I will also send a report in this regard to Prime Minister Imran Khan. Work on the project will start from the current year after which Hindus in Pakistan will also be able to visit the site,” Ramesh Kumar said.
The ultimate move to open the Sharda Temple Corridor is now being seen as a significant step by Pakistan towards making peace with India, stating that dialogue is the only option towards a solution to de-escalate the tension between the neighbouring countries.
