The Hindu : Pak. delegation crosses over to India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 09, 2003

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Pak. delegation crosses over to India

Pakistani parliamentarians, who are on a goodwill visit to India, crossing the Wagah check post on Thursday. — Reuters

Wagah May 8. Amidst peace overtures by India and Pakistan, a 13-member Pakistani parliamentary delegation today walked into India on a week-long visit during which they would be holding talks with their counterparts, writers and intellectuals.

Shiv Sena activists waved black flags and raised slogans such as "back to Pakistan". But they were duly checked by the police and were prevented from creating a scene.

The delegation, led by the former Planning Minister, Khalid Ranga, crossed the Red Cliff at Wagah carrying banners and placards in Urdu reading "open the ways for peace". The delegation members and those who received them raised slogans "Hind Pak dosti zindabad" (long live Indo-Pak friendship).

The local MLA, Raj Kumar, the Amritsar City Mayor, Sunil Dutti, the Additional Deputy Commissioner, H.S. Nanda, and member of Indian People Welfare Society, Jatinderpal Singh Jolly, received the delegation which included members of National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies.

Sardar Mazari of the Muslim League said that the aim and objective of the visit was to bring a message of peace. "Our message to both the governments would be sit down, resolve your issues across the table." Asked about India's concern over continuing cross-border terrorism, he said "this is something which is to be dealt with by both the countries".

Shakeela Rashid, another member, told reporters that they had come to India "to pave the path for progressive and purposeful peace initiatives" by both the countries.

Begum Rashid and other delegates, while speaking on the cross-border terrorism, said, "India is also not sure as to who is behind the inhuman killings in Jammu and Kashmir as the identity of the terrorists never came to light. So it is difficult to say Pakistan is behind the killings in India".

On the hardliners in Pakistan who are against the peace initiatives, the delegates said: "No doubt there are certain sectarian groups in Pakistan creating hurdles for peace talks, but the same type of people are also here in India who are inhibiting the Indian Government from heading towards the bilateral peace talks".

They said they were committed to mollify the fundamentalist in Pakistan and similar efforts were needed in India.

Former Editor of Herald, Karachi, Sheery Rehman, stressed the need for more such peace missions from both sides. She said this would help in the confidence-building process.

Mr. Ranga said that on reaching Delhi the delegates would meet Parliamentarians to exchange views besides inviting them to visit Pakistan.

During their seven-day stay, the delegates would go to Hyderabad, Kolkatta and Mumbai.

The delegation later visited the Golden Temple and paid homage to martyrs at the historic Jalianwala Bagh.

— PTI, UNI

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