The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy
Country Projects:
KARTARPUR MARG: A Peace Corridor for India and Pakistan
Kartarpur Project Update – December 5, 2009
Meet the Executive Steering Committee for Kartarpur Marg
In an effort to support the peaceful religious ideology of the Sikh faith, there have been campaigns within India and Pakistan to promote the idea of a religious corridor linking the Sikh holy sites across the Indo-Pak border.
The Pakistani government has recognized the need for the Sikh corridor and has offered access to the religious sites within Pakistan. Unfortunately, this idea has not been brought to the forefront of the political agenda in India and is still regarded cautiously.
Construction of the Kartarpur Corridor is a task that is of utmost importance to the Sikh community. The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy has been asked by the Sikh community to facilitate and direct the efforts of the Sikh population towards practical steps in the construction of the corridor.
The Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy proposes that the Sikh Corridor should be an area of 4 kilometers linking the Sikh Gurudwaras (places of worship) of Kartarpur Sahib and Dera Baba Nanak across the Indo-Pak border. The area could be 100 yards wide with another 100 yards on either side for local businesses to set up their shops. The total area will be 4 kilometers long and 300 yards wide and completed in three years.
In order to assist in the smooth transitioning of the project, a five member Executive Steering Committee for Kartarpur Marg has been created and chaired by Ambassador John W. McDonald. The five committee members are all distinguished members of the Sikh community and come from various professional backgrounds.
The members include, Mr. Gurcharan Singh of the World Bank, Mr. Surinder Pal Singh a local journalist and community organizer, Mr. Rashpal Dhindsa, Chairman of the NGO Kartarpur Sahib Marg, Mr. Amar Singh Malhi, board member of the Guru Nanak Foundation of America, and Avtar Singh Pannu, President of the NGO, Sikhs for Justice.
These gentlemen will act as liaisons between IMTD and the Sikh Diaspora and will also be responsible with fundraising for the project. Renowned Pakistani architect and former Chairman of the Institute of Architects in Pakistan, Syed Azmat Ali Zaidi will be the Project Director and responsible for implementing the feasibility study.
We have also recently appointed a highly respected and accomplished structural and civil engineer, Surinder Singh to assist in the execution of the survey as well as other activities associated with the project. Mr. Surinder Singh is the CEO and President of EMC2 Inc, a Maryland based engineering and construction firm. He has generously donated his time and energy to work of the project free of charge.
IMTD and the Sikh community have taken the first steps together in charting a new course for Sikhs in India and Pakistan by helping to realize the Kartarpur Peace Zone Corridor, which will serve as a shining example of how non governmental organizations can help bridge the gulf between the peoples of India and Pakistan.