PESHAWAR, Dec 29: Members of a goodwill delegation from the US have said that they wanted to play a role in promoting peace and removing misunderstandings in Pakistan and India.

The 21-member delegation, comprising US citizens of Pakistani and Indian origin, is currently on a visit to the NWFP. It is headed by John Parbudas and includes professionals belonging to different fields.

The members said the main purpose of their visit was to meet key personalities here to discuss mutual under standing and strengthen bonds between the people of the two countries.

The delegation met NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah at the Governor's House here on Wednesday and discussed with him various aspects of their mission. The delegation plans to help improve the feeling of mutual understanding in connection with the ongoing negotiations between Pakistan and India, an official handout said.

The delegates said they were interested in the peace process because of their relation with the two countries and they wanted to help end differences and tension between them and contribute in ensuring prosperity and development of the people. They also thanked the governor for the traditional hospitality of the province.

The NWFP governor said citizens of a country were its ambassadors abroad and they had a key role in promoting the sentiments of mutual understanding. He also wished them success in their goal.

MINORITIES TEAM: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has said that minorities in Pakistan enjoy equal and full constitutional rights and added the government has always taken practical initiatives to give them a respectable status in the society, adds APP.

He was talking to a 10-member delegation of Christian community from Kohat headed by Gulab Masih Bhatti, Sabir Kastofer and Babar Masih which called on him at the Governor's House here on Wednesday.

The governor said the right of representation in the elected bodies given to the minority communities showed the sincerity of the government in ensuring constitutional rights of the minorities at every level.

He urged the minorities to forge unity in their ranks and raise their problems at proper forums. Referring to the problems pointed out by the members of the delegation which included provision of electricity and drinking water in the Christian community areas of Kohat, the governor said the authorities concerned would be contacted in this regard.