After Kartarpur, Mehbooba seeks opening of Sharada Peeth in PoK

SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a Kartarpur-type corridor to Sharda Peeth in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supremo said in her letter that the opening of the Kartarpur corridor was a welcome step as it would open avenues for people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan.

Confirming the same, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “Wrote to PM @narendramodi for opening of Sharada Peeth route for facilitating the Pandit community. I hope like Kartarpur, this too will be considered for better peace and prosperity in the region.”

Soon after the inauguration of the Kartarpur Corridor, Mehbooba had tweeted: “After Kartarpur, Delhi and Pakistan must facilitate Sharda Peeth pilgrimage for Kashmiris.”

“Great initiative of offering peace through these channels. PM @narendramodi ji should consider the offer by PakPM @ImranKhanPTI for opening of SharadaPeeth in Kashmir, Katasraj & other shrines too this will certainly bridge the gap & usher peace in region,” the former J&K CM tweeted.

She said besides being an important pilgrimage for the Kashmiri Pandit community, Sharda Peeth has historically been the seat of knowledge and learning for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Kartarpur has encouraged the (Kashmiri) Pandit community to see a possibility of the Pilgrimage to Shardapeeth in the same spirit and our belief is strengthened by the reported offer of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to allow it along with pilgrimage to Katas Raj,” the PDP president said in the letter.

Sharda Peeth is currently an abandoned ancient Hindu temple site in Sharda village in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

With agency inputs