Homage paid to Bulleh Shah

Published August 28, 2004

KASUR, Aug 27: The peace process between Pakistan and India should be allowed to continue and obstacles in the way will be removed with the passage of time, according to Indian parliamentarian Dr Nirmala Desh Pande.

Dr Pande is heading a 22-member delegation visiting Kasur to pay homage to Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah at his annual urs. She was speaking at a seminar organized by the International Bulleh Shah Forum on 'peace for all' at a local hall on the second day of the urs on Friday.

Prominent among others were PPP MNA Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad and World Punjabi Forum chairman Fakhar Zaman.

She called upon the governments of both the countries to make the visa policy simple. A list of 1,000 Pakistani visitors should be prepared and it would be submitted to the Indian government for approval, she said.

Dr Kuljit Shellie, who has been awarded a PhD degree for her work on Baba Bulleh Shah, said people of India and Pakistan must strive for a harmonious living. She said: "The teachings of Baba Bulleh Shah guide us to promote harmony and peace."

An Indian delegate, Prof Vishvarnath, donated Rs11,000 for the development of the sufi poet's shrine. Earlier, Dr Nirmala and other delegates visited the shrine and laid chaddars by themselves and on behalf of the Indian prime minister and the foreign minister.

Later, Dr Nirmala was presented a shield and other gifts by the forum. Speaking on the occasion, Fakhar Zaman also called for easy visa policy for travelling between the two countries. He said events would be celebrated in Lukhnow, Mumbai, Kanpur, Amritsar and other India places to promote harmony.

Meanwhile, the 14th Baba Bulleh Shah conference was also held under the auspices of the Majlis-i-Baba Bulleh Shah at the Kasur library hall. Scholars, poets and Punjabi language experts paid homage to the saint in prose and poetry.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...