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| October 16, 2003 | Thursday | Sha'aban 19, 1424 |
Shujaat invited by Laloo
NEW DELHI, Oct 15: Taking political party-to-party contacts forward between India and Pakistan, former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD President Laloo Prasad Yadev has extended formal invitation to president, the Pakistan Muslim League, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to visit India.
The concept of party-to-party contact was first introduced by the PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to promote ties between the two countries on political front and had written letters to the heads of eight leading Indian political parties, leader of Pakistan’s parliamentarians delegation, Senator Tariq Azeem Khan told APP here on Wednesday on the last leg of his week-long visit to India.
Pakistani delegates during their stay held meetings with national security adviser, Brajesh Mishra, opposition leader, Sonia Gandhi, RJD President Laloo Prasad Yadev, Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, former Prime Minister I K Gujral and Ram Jethmalani, chairman, Kashmir Committee of India.
Mr Khan, who is also secretary information, PML had flown to Patna along with MNA Zulfiqar Gondal and presented a signed photograph of Laloo Prasad Yadev with President Pervez Musharraf to him on behalf of Pakistan president.
The photograph, taken during the visit of Laloo Prasad Yadev to Pakistan has created significant impact and stir in the Indian media.
Laloo Prasad told the parliamentarians that he would continue to visit Pakistan till brotherly ties between the two countries were fully restored. Mr Azeem invited him to again visit Pakistan along with his wife, Rabri Devi.
During the meeting with the national security adviser at prime minister office, which lasted over 90 minutes, the parliamentary delegation had an interaction and exchange of views on various matters including Kashmir issue, resumption of air links and rail services, sporting ties and restoration of diplomatic strength.
During a meeting with Kashmir Committee, headed by Ram Jethmalani with the Pakistani team, it was suggested that Kashmir Committee should also be constituted in Pakistan, comprising people from different walks of life so that both committees could have interaction on the issue.
The Pakistani delegation was here to attend the two-day Regional Conference on Technology for Poverty Reduction, organized by British Council. Pakistan is the co-host of the conference.—APP
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