LAHORE, May 9: District Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood has allowed the Pak-India Peace March in the city and invited elected representatives from India to visit Pakistan for the study of the district government system. Talking to the 21-member delegation, led by Sandeep Panday, here on Monday, the nazim said the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) would not only allow the peace march but also plant saplings brought by the marchers from India at lawns of the Jinnah Hall.

Presenting shields, books on history of Lahore and replicas of the Minar-i-Pakistan to the delegation members, he said Indo-Pak friendship should be based on the basis of equality and both the countries should maintain a balance of power. Both the countries should open more land and air routes for travel and facilitate frequent exchange of delegations for expediting the ongoing peace process. Resolution of Kashmir and other issues was necessary for a lasting peace between the two countries.

He said Pakistan had acquired nuclear technology only for maintaining balance of power in the region as no friendship was possible between the strong and the weak.

He said there had been a marked improvement in local government system since its inception. He invited the Indian elected representatives to visit Pakistan for the study of district governments system.

Delegation leader Sandeep Panday said India and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of their people. He said both the countries should stop purchasing arms from US, reduce the defence budget and allocate more resources for the welfare of the people.

He stressed the need for easing visa restrictions for encouraging frequent travel of the people. He said the peace march had started from Delhi and concluded at Multan after passing through Lahore.

India-Pakistan Peace Initiatives President Naseer Akhtar, National Awami Party Vice-President Mrs.Neelam Shah. Data Ganj Bakhsh Town Nazim Tariq Sana Bajwa and a number of CDGL officers also attended the meeting.

ADULTERATION: District Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood has ordered cancellation of licences of foodstuff manufacturers found engaged in adulteration and closure of their factories.

Inspecting the adulterated foodstuffs and beverages seized by the CDGL food squad at the Jinnah Hall here on Monday, he said the adulterators were playing with human lives and deserved no mercy.

Meanwhile, the food squad raided a spices factory at Badami Bagh and seized 0.75 ton adulterated ‘chaat masala’ and turmeric powder. Sub-standard food colour and bran being used for the production of ‘chaat masala’ was also seized.

A case was instituted against factory owner Muhammad Idrees under the Pure Food Ordinance.