HYDERABAD, Dec 21: A delegation of Indian Sindhi writers, poets and intellectuals, led by Suresh A. Keswani, a member of the Rajya Sabha and vice- chairman of the Sindhi Academy , New Delhi, arrived here on Tuesday and visited the Institute of Sindhology and Sindhi Adabi Board.

Speaking at the institute, Mr Keswani thanked people of Sindh for according warm welcome to his delegation and expressed the hope that the relations between India and Pakistan would be further strengthened.

He said that literature and culture played key role in building bridges between nations and added that writers and intellectuals could play a key role in the development of sustainable relations between the two neighbours.

On behalf of the Sindhi Academy, Mr Keswani offered cooperation for the publication of books of Pakistani writers in India and added that the academy would welcome writers from Pakistan.

In his welcome speech, Sindh University vice-chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui said that ongoing negotiations between the two governments had provided a golden opportunity to the scholars to strengthen the relations between the two countries through exchange of visits.

He hailed the suggestions about exchange of academicians and joint publication of books in the two countries and urged the Sindhi Academy and Institute of Sindhology to sign a memorandum of understanding for the exchange of academic and intellectual programmes.

Others who spoke on the occasion included director of the Sindhi Academy Dr Moti Parkash, director of Institute of Sindhology Shoukat Hussain Shoro and Qamar Shahbaz.

The institute hosted a lunch in honour of members of the delegation. Later, the delegation visited Sindhi Adabi Board where they were received by its secretary Inam Shaikh. Hyderabad District Nazim Dr Makhdoom Rafiquzzaman hosted a reception for the Indian guests at his secretariat in the evening.

PPP-SB: The chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party (Shaheed Bhutto), Ghinwa Bhutto, will lead a protest procession against increase in prices of petroleum products and utility tariff, deteriorating law and order situation and controversial water projects here on Wednesday.

District president of the party Piral Majidano told this correspondent that she would speak at a public meeting at Haider Chowk. He has submitted an application to the district nazim to seek permission for the procession, use of loud speaker at Haider Chowk and establishment of reception camps in the city.