RAWALPINDI: The Leader of the House in the National Assembly, Khan A. Sabur, declared today [Aug 5] that the forthcoming meeting between the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan was expected to cover the subjects concerning communal peace and harmony in India. Mr Sabur made this declaration during his brief speech requesting Shah Azizur Rahman, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, to withdraw his adjournment motion through which the mover wanted to discuss violations of the Liaquat-Nehru Pact on minorities by India and persecution of Indian Muslims particularly in West Bengal.

Mr Sabur said he had discussed the subject with the Foreign Minister, who thought that a discussion would not help check communal frenzy in India. The Foreign Minister is also of the opinion that no useful purpose would be served by debate through an adjournment motion. He said they should create proper and congenial atmosphere for the success of the Foreign Ministers’ meeting. Shah Azizur Rahman said that the condition of Muslims in India was very grave and it was their sacred duty to help protect their life, honour and property. He later withdrew the adjournment motion.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from Lahore], the Panjab University has undertaken a unique project of compiling the literary history of the Muslims since their settlement in the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent 1,250 years ago. The 15-volume history in Urdu will give the historical and cultural background of the literature produced by Muslims of the sub-continent since 712 A.D.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play