After Kartarpur corridor, Pakistan likely to take yet another initiative at border crossing along India
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ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday has hinted at taking yet another initiative after the Kartarpur border corridor.
Qureshi has expressed desire to open another border crossing of Khokarapar in the south adjacent to Rajistan.
He declared that Pakistan has formally acquired the land required for the construction of phase one and phase two of Kartarpur corridor. Speaking to mediapersons in interior Singh, Qureshi said that Pakistan “has given the message of peace by opening the Kartarpur Corridor”.
The Pakistan Foreign Minister further informed mediapersons that country’s Prime Minister Imran Khan had also given his approval for the different phases of Kartarpur Corridor. He added that “Pakistan desires to have cordial relations with the countries, including India”.
Referring to the budget allocation for the corridor, the minister said that the total cost incurred for the first phase would be approximately 2.5 billion Pakistani Rupees. The Kartarpur corridor has about 3.2 km on the Pakistani side, which is to be built in three phases.
Qureshi also used the opportunity to reiterate Pakistan’s offer to resume dialogue with India. He, however, added that New Delhi has not been reciprocating to the talks offer from Islamabad.
“We want better ties with India and are committed to the Kartarpur corridor, we would want to have a dialogue with India but India is currently in their election mode,” said Qureshi.
The foreign minister also expressed his desire to open the Khokhrapar route of the border crossing in order to facilitate people to people contact from Rajasthan.