LAHORE: Heads of States and Govern­ments from 21 countries arriving here today [Feb 21] to participate in the historic Islamic Summit Conference were accorded a warm and fraternal welcome amidst booming of guns. The tastefully decorated and renovated Lahore Airport wearing a bridal look presented some memorable and soul-inspiring scenes symbolising the cherished ideal of the unity of the Islamic world. Handshakes, embraces, 21-gun salutes, playing of national anthems and guards of honour marked the befitting reception. President Fazal Elahi Chaudhri and Prime Minister Z.A. Bhutto were personally present to greet the distinguished guests on behalf of the host country.

[Meanwhile], in a message on the eve of the Second Islamic Summit Conference, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto today said this historic event symbolised the rebirth of Muslim unity. “Never before in modern times has the world of Islam been presented with such opportunity to acquire economic strength and political influence as it is today,” he said. He described the Summit … as “a historic event for the entire Muslim world stretching from Morocco in the Atlantic to Indonesia in the Pacific”. — Summit bureau

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2024