05 January 2004	Monday	12 Ziqa'ad 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: The delegations of the Pakistan People's Party and ruling Pakistan Muslim League met Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Sunday evening at a reception hosted by New Delhi's High Commissioner to Islamabad Shivshankar Menon in honour of Mr Vajpayee.

According to a press release issued here by the PPP media cell, the PPP delegation, led by party Vice-Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, included MNAs Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Sherry Rehman, Ramesh Lal, Ehsanul Haq Piracha and senators Enver Baig and Farhatullah Babar.

Extending a warm welcome to the Indian prime minister, Makhdoom Fahim said the PPP and its chairperson Benazir Bhutto shared the dream of peace in the region. The PPP, he said, lauded the Indian leader for his courageous initiative to unlock the door of peace in the region.

Makhdoom Fahim said the initiative, vision, persistence and political standing of Mr Vajpayee offered a great hope for peace in the region.

Mr Ramesh Lal, an MNA from Larkana, also presented a memorandum to the Indian prime minister urging him to liberalize visa regime to facilitate the travel of Pakistani Hindu community to India for performing religious rites of Ganga Yatra and Badri.

Meanwhile, former prime minister and Pakistan People's Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has sent flower bouquets to the leaders of Saarc countries attending the 12th summit in Islamabad.

According to the PPP media cell, the bouquets were presented to the leaders of Saarc countries on Sunday.

PML TEAM: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League leaders had a meeting with Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee at the reception, and conveyed "good wishes" for the success of talks between India and Pakistan, adds PPI.

The PML leaders, comprising party's Secretary-General Salim Saifullah, Information Secretary Senator Tariq Azim Khan, Senator Mushahid Hussain, former senator Akram Zaki and Azim Chaudhry, met Mr Vajpayee at the reception.

Senator Tariq Azim said they told the Indian premier that due to pressing family commitments, PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain conveyed his regrets for not having been able to meet him (Mr Vajpayee) on Sunday, but hoped to see him on Monday.

At the reception, the PML leaders also had talks with Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra.

The PML senator said his party's delegation would visit India soon for interaction at party-to-party level initiated by Chaudhry Shujaat.