Chandigarh: The World Sikh Chamber of Commerce (WSCC), Punjab, on Friday submitted a memorandum to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, demanding the immediate resumption of international trade through the Attari-Wagah border and the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.
A delegation led by WSCC Punjab Chairman Rajinder Singh Marwaha and Chandigarh Chapter President Amrinder Singh Kochhar met the Governor at Punjab Raj Bhavan and highlighted the economic and religious significance of the two routes.
In the memorandum, the chamber called for the restoration of trade links with Pakistan, Afghanistan and several Central Asian nations, including Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. The delegation pointed out that trade through the Attari-Wagah border has remained suspended for the past seven years, causing substantial losses to farmers, traders, transporters and industrial units, particularly in the Amritsar region.
Marwaha said the prolonged closure has adversely affected Punjab’s border economy and disrupted livelihoods dependent on cross-border commerce. He stressed that reopening the trade route would provide a much-needed boost to businesses and help revive economic activity in the region.
The delegation also raised the issue of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, describing it as a matter of deep religious and emotional importance for Sikhs across the world. WSCC leaders urged authorities to take necessary steps to facilitate its early reopening for devotees.
Governor Kataria listened to the concerns raised by the delegation and assured them that the issues mentioned in the memorandum would receive due consideration. The meeting was described as positive, with chamber representatives expressing hope that both the state and central governments would take concrete measures to revive trade, strengthen regional connectivity and facilitate religious travel.
