LAHORE, June 6: The Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy announced on Friday evening that a delegation of Indian parliamentarians would arrive here on June 17 for an eight-day visit.

The announcement was made by founder member of the forum Dr Mubashir Hasan at a meeting in the forum’s office on Temple Road.

Consisting of 12 to 14 MPs, Mr Hasan told reporters, the delegation would arrive at Wagah on June 17 and stay here till June 25.

“The MPs will stay for three days in Lahore before leaving for Islamabad on June 20, where they will spend two days. They are then scheduled to visit Karachi before their return to Lahore on June 25.”

Dr Hasan said the delegates would meet parliamentarians, peace activists, writers, intellectuals and politicians from the opposition. He said Kuldip Nayyar might be a part of the delegation. “They will hold meetings with people from different walks of life, including sessions with students and visits to some educational institutions.”

The Indian MPs are visiting Pakistan after a delegation of Pakistani parliamentarians visited India recently, the forum’s founder member said. “Peace and how to take more steps towards it will be the main focus of the visit.”

Although it is an unofficial visit, there would be a reception in honour of the delegates at the official level, he said. “I spoke to Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi by phone, who told me that a reception will also be given to the Indian MPs at the government level. Either the CM himself or the Punjab Assembly speaker will host the reception.”

Later, the forum discussed the arrangements to be made for the Indian MPs’ visit.