NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will lead a delegation of ministers, legislators and officials from his state to Pakistan next month, The Indian Express has reported. It said the weeklong visit was supported by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government, which hopes it will give traction to the dialogue process between the two countries.

Mr Kumar is scheduled to visit from November 9 to 16 on the invitation of some Pakistani parliamentarians and universities.

He would visit Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad and possibly also travel to Multan and Rawalpindi, according to the tentative programme being prepared for him, the newspaper said. He would cross over to Pakistan through Wagah.

Apart from the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Kumar has the blessings of the home ministry and the foreign ministry, a sign that he could also make courtesy calls on top political leaders of Pakistan, and possibly carry messages from Indian leaders.

In 2003, Mr Kumar’s rival and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had visited Pakistan.—Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will lead a delegation of ministers, legislators and officials from his state to Pakistan next month, The Indian Express has reported. It said the weeklong visit was supported by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government, which hopes it will give traction to the dialogue process between the two countries. Mr Kumar is scheduled to visit from November 9 to 16 on the invitation of some Pakistani parliamentarians and universities. He would visit Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad and possibly also travel to Multan and Rawalpindi, according to the tentative programme being prepared for him, the newspaper said. He would cross over to Pakistan through Wagah. Apart from the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Kumar has the blessings of the home ministry and the foreign ministry, a sign that he could also make courtesy calls on top political leaders of Pakistan, and possibly carry messages from Indian leaders. In 2003, Mr Kumar’s rival and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had visited Pakistan.—Correspondent