19 February 2004	Thursday	27 Zilhaj 1424

LAHORE, Feb 18: A group of 130 Hindu pilgrims arrived here on Wednesday on a four-day visit to their holy places. Evacuee Trust Properties Board (ETPB) officials received them at the Wagah border. The board also arranged a reception in their honour at the Dera Sahib near the Lahore Fort.

Later, the Hindu pilgrims left for a two-day visit to Katas Raj Mandar in Chakwal. Talking to Dawn, group leader Prof Krishan Chand said the recent peace initiative adopted by the two countries had enabled their visit. He stressed a people-to-people contact for normalizing relations between Pakistan and India.

He said he had learnt about the dilapidated condition of Hindu temples and would ask the Punjab government to provide funds for their restoration. Meanwhile, ETPB deputy director (shrines) Fraz Abbas said all arrangements had been finalized in Chakwal to facilitate the pilgrims.