July 16, 2003	Wednesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 15, 1424

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LAHORE, July 15: A four-member delegation of the JUI-F led by its president Maulana Fazlur Rahman left for India via Wagah on Tuesday morning.

Speaking to newsmen at the border, Maulana Fazl said their visit was aimed at reducing bitterness in the relations between the two neighbouring countries.

He dispelled the impression that religious parties were extremists and did not want peace with India or other neighbouring countries. “We are peace-loving people and want to see normalization of relations between India and Pakistan.”

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who also holds the office of MMA (Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal) secretary-general, said that as Kashmir was the core issue, it was necessary to solve it before taking up other problems.

He denied that the delegation was visiting India as a government emissary. “Our visit is private, and we are carrying a message of the people of Pakistan to the people of India.”

Members of the team included JUI-F Deputy Secretary-General Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, Senator Naseeb Gul and Qazi Hameedullah Khan.

APP adds: The JUI-F team arrived in India on Tuesday morning.

Maulana Fazl and his party members were received at Wagah border by Maulana Mahmood Madani, general secretary of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind.