Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday formally opened historic Kartarpur Corridor to facilitate entry of Sikh pilgrims from India into Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur in Narowal district of Pakistan.

Addressing the ceremony, he said opening of Kartarpur Corridor is just the beginning.

The Prime Minister expressed optimism that resolution of Kashmir dispute will bring prosperity and result in uplifting of entire South Asian region.

It will also lead to improvement in bilateral relations between India and Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said when he assumed power, he sent a message to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi that we should resolve the bilateral issues to eradicate poverty by opening borders and promoting trade.

He, however, regretted that this message was not reciprocated and what is happening in Kashmir today is beyond the issue of territory.

More than eighty million people are besieged and it has become a humanitarian issue.

He said no peace can come unless issue of Kashmir is resolved through dialogue.

Imran Khan sent a message to Indian Prime Minister to give justice to Kashmiris.

He said with the resolution of Kashmir issue, the benefits reaped by the people of both India and Pakistan will be immense.

The Prime Minister said every prophet of Allah brought message of humanity and justice and Baba Guru Nanak in his teachings preached the message of converging of humans and spreading love.

He said our great prophet (PBUH) who has been sent as Rehmat ul Lil Alameen always gave the message of love and humanity and even forgave his worst opponents.

Imran Khan said all prophets were leaders and leader always unite people and avoids hatred.

He said the leader who sows the seed of hate to garner vote is not a true leader.

The Prime Minster gave reference to the struggle of Nelson Mandela who raised a strong voice against apartheid against racism and injustice against the black people.

He spent 27 years in jail but forgave his opponents to save South Africa from bloodshed.

Imran Khan said opening of Kartarpur is like the Muslims standing at a close distance to Madina Munawwara and are unable to visit it, is akin to Kartarpur Corridor for Sikhs.

The Prime Minister congratulated the Sikh community on 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

The Prime Minister also felicitated the FWO and other organizations involved in the construction of complex at the corridor.

Thousands of Sikhs from different parts of the world including India attended the ceremony.

Earlier, the Prime Minister visited different sections of Gurdawara Darbar Sahib and he was briefed about its renovation. This has now become the world's largest Sikh Gurdawara.

On arrival at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, the Prime Minister shook hand with former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and exchanged views with him. He also met former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Governor Punjab Chaudhary Sarwar and Interior Minister Ijaz Shah also interacted with Manmohan Singh.

The Corridor has been opened on the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji beginning from Tuesday.

Dubbed as 'Zero Point', the Corridor including a bridge stretches for one-kilometer over the Ravi River flowing between the two countries.

The Construction of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and renovation of Gurdwara Darbar Sahib has been completed in record time.

The ground breaking ceremony of the corridor was held on 28th November last year.

Kiani/Mustafa