Pakistan: Newly Constructed Domes Of Kartarpur Gurudwara Collapse After Thunderstorm Hits Area

In a matter of major embarrassment for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the newly constructed domes of the Kartarpur Gurudwara have collapsed, reports WION.

Eight newly constructed domes on the outside perimeter of the Gurudwara collapsed due to thunderstorm in the area on Friday (17 April) evening. However, no damage was caused to the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Gurudwara.

It should be noted that the collapse of the domes comes within just six months after the area around the Gurudwara had been developed following which the site had been launched open for Sikh pilgrims in November 2019.

The Gurudwara is held in great religious importance by Sikhs across the globe as it is the final resting place of Sikh faith founder Guru Nanak. It is situated in Pakistan's Narowal district across the Ravi river and lies just four kilometres away from the Dera Baba Nanak which is situated in India.

Tainted globally for exporting terrorism, Islamabad had used the Sikh pilgrimage as an image-building exercise by showcasing the corridor as Pakistan's initiative towards peace-building and communal harmony.

Sources on Sunday said that the domes at Kartarpur were constructed with cheap substandard material even as the Sikh community had objected to it.

The government authorities had got the pre-fabricated domes of fiberglass made and screwed them to the structure, to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan's deadline and to reduce the cost, sources said.

Interestingly, Pakistan has levied an entry fee of US$20 for visitors, to raise money for maintenance of the shrine.

(With IANS Inputs)