Struggling for the last four decades to secure release of her husband, who is one of the 54 prisoners of war (POW) lodged in different Pakistani jails since 1971 war, Nirmal Kour sees a fresh ray of hope.
With India and Pakistan agreeing to open the ‘Kartarpur Sahibcorridor’ aimed at facilitating easy passage of Sikh pilgrims to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib across the border, Kour, wife of Subedar Assa Singh, says she is hopeful that it will help bring a thaw in ties and the two countries will look into the issue of PoWs to ensure their early return.
“My children are waiting for their father for the last 47 years. Nothing could be a better confidence building measure than this (ensuring return of PoW),” she said, while making an emotional appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for securing the release of the prisoners.
“We are hopeful that Kartarpur corridor will bring the two countries nearer and our miseries will be put to an end by seeking the whereabouts of the prisoners and ensuring their early return to their families,” she told reporters at her Nanak Nagar residence.
Kour said she along with other families of PoWs went to Pakistan in 2008 to look for them after meeting the then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, but returned disappointed as we were not allowed to visit all prisons.
“We are hopeful that our prayers will get answered soon . We expect India and Pakistan to make a sincere effort and ensure the return of the POWs,” she said.
‘Hardships Raising,’ Says Kour
Kour said, in the absence of any help, she faced a lot of hardships while raising her five daughters and two sons and worked as a domestic help to meet their requirements.
She said that Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu had helped them in the past and said:
“We are hopeful that he will raise our issue with Pakistan Premier Imran Khan to end our miseries.”
Singh's children said the family had not lost hope despite the long ordeal.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday laid the foundation stone for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor. The decision to build the passage – from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the International Border – was taken by the Union Cabinet on 22 November.
Kartarpur is located in Shakargarh in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab. Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, had spent more than 18 years of his life there.
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