British Sikh property tycoon Peter Verdi plans to trust Pakistan’s Gudwaras
A British Sikh property tycoon is leading a plan to set up a new trust for Pakistan’s gurdwaras to boost religious tourism and conservation projects through plans for the Kartarpur corridor on both sides of the India-Pakistan border.
Peter Virdee, founder of London-based B&S Property, said up to £500m would be provided by the trust, which will be funded in nanograms, including undisclosed commitments from his own Virdee Foundation and business figures from around the world. Grandmaster.
Virdee said, “I am humbled and blessed to have the opportunity to be part of this sewa. Plans are underway and a delegation will meet with the governments of India and Pakistan in the coming weeks and months to advance the plan.”
Asked if India-Pakistan political tensions would be a hindrance, he said: “This is a purely religious initiative, not about politics. It is crucial that we do not confuse religion and politics. Many Sikhs The holy sites are all in Pakistan and it is important that we come together to protect them.”
The new trust scheme to be registered and supervised in the UK was formalised at the Central Gurdwara Khalsa Jatha conference in London earlier this week.
Virdee and other British Sikhs held talks with Syed Zulfi Karbuhari, chairman of the Pakistan Tourism Board and special assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, on important issues for the British Sikh community.
A statement issued by the British Sikh Federation said: “Many of the Sikhs who spoke congratulated the Pakistani government on the stance taken not only in relation to the establishment of the Kartarpur corridor, but other measures taken for the 550th Gurpurb of Guru Nanak Dev Ji .”
Earlier this week, the Pakistani government announced an allocation of Rs 100 crore in the 2019-20 federal budget for the development of a corridor that will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan’s Kartarpur region with the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Gurdaspur region.
The project, which laid the foundation stone on both sides of the border in November last year, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Buhari also made some commitments on visas sought by Sikhs in the UK for religious reasons, including the possibility of an online visa and a visa on arrival.
He also acknowledged plans to set up tourist desks at embassies, where dedicated staff can provide visas to those planning to travel to Pakistan for religious activities.
At the meeting in London, which was attended by Preet Kaur Gill, chair of the Sikh All-Party Parliamentary Group in the UK, along with other leading politicians and Sikh representatives in the UK, Buhari confirmed he would address connectivity issues by offering a free bus service , the service can connect to all countries. The main gurdwaras of Pakistan.
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