Indian peace delegates arrive

An Indian parliamentary delegation yesterday began a nine-day goodwill tour of Pakistan on the invitation of a bilateral private peace forum with hopes the two neighbours would overcome decades of mutual hostility and begin a new chapter in relations.

Six members from both houses of the Indian parliament led by Kuldip Nayar, also a noted journalist, entered Pakistan through the Wagah border near the eastern city of Lahore, to be greeted with garlands.

The delegation comprising Shahid Siddiqui, Kartar SinghDuggal, Rajiv Shukla, Lajpat Rai, Jagmit Singh Brar, Swaraj Kaushal, Renuka Chaudhry, B Bansal, Abdul Rashid, Lakshman Seth and N K Mistry were accorded a warm welcome by legislators, human rights activists and members of India-Pakistan People's Forum for Peace and Democracy, which has sponsored the goodwill trip.

The organizers said several other Indian parliamentarians namely K. M Khan, Rajiv Shukla and Athwalay would arrive by air via Dubai today to join the delegation.

Kuldip Nayar told reporters the people of the two countries were tired of relentless acrimony and malice and wanted to live in an environment of peace and stability.

He expressed optimism that people-to-people contacts would gain momentum and the expected dialogue between India and Pakistan would help put the relations on an even keel.

The delegation leader called for the resumption of daily bus and train services and liberalised visa procedures. The delegation will also visit Islamabad and Karachi before returning home on June 25.

They are expected to meet Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro, and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi.

This is only one part of the the Track 2‚ initiatives underway. A nine-member Pakistani delegation comprising key retired Army officials and diplomats, is already in Nepal to informally discuss options for the resolution of Kashmir.