Punjab Newspaper

Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people of Indian & Pakistan Punjab to foster, friendship, goodwill, mutual trust and harmony through one to one relationship in the changed scenario of globalization as hatred and confrontation would not yield any fruitful result to achieve an ultimate goal of peace and tranquility in the sub-continent.

Addressing a high powered delegation from Pakistan consisting of 60 members from different walks of the life led by Member Parliament Rai Aziz Ullah Khan here late last night, Mr.Badal said that he was overwhelmed to see all of you here at a short notice, which reflected your unbounded love and compassion for Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat. He said that the people of both countries shared a common culture, language and traditions since time immemorial that was evident from the urge to know each other and sense of belongingness.

Sharing his reminiscences down the memory lane, Mr.Badal briefly narrated his stint of four years in F.C. College , Lahore for pursuing Graduation in Arts and was awarded degree at Convocation in 1947 somewhat close to the partition. He also referred to the age old ties with Muslim brethren taking a cue from Sikh history that how Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji urged upon Sai Mian Mir ji – a Muslim sufi saint to lay the foundation stone of Sri Harimandir Sahib to demonstrate complete faith in the high moral and secular values. Mr.Badal also thanked Mr.Rai Ahiz Ullah Khan, whose forefathers had been bestowed with a pride possession of ‘Ganga Sagar’ – an urn given by Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji as a token of regard and love for the services rendered by his ancestors. Mr.Badal said that it was Mr.Khan’s magnanimity that whenever we requested him for the ‘darshan’ of ‘Ganga Sagar’ he acceded to our request and camped in Punjab for weeks together.

Mr. Badal extended an open invitation to the members of the delegation to visit his native village ‘Badal’ that he had developed through his humble efforts since he was a Sarpanch in his youth and by the grace of God probably it was one the most modern villages in the country. He also expressed his keen desire to visit their countryside. He also shared his experience as an infatuated lover of rare breeds of cattle and informed that still he had 20-25 cows and buffalos of Saiwal breed in his treasured possession. He hoped that with a perceptible change in the atmosphere of Indo-Pakistan ties, the day is not very far off when one could just go to Lahore for a cup of tea, breakfast or lunch. He admired the stupendous efforts of Rai Aziz Ullah Khan for further improving the relations between the east and west Punjab and rightly described him as a ‘cultural ambassador’.

Speaking on the occasion Member Parliament Rai Aziz Ullah Khan said that he was really indebted to Mr.Badal for giving such a rousing welcome and respect by extending a personal invitation to them to visit Chandigarh, as the delegation had come to attend a seminar on the life and works of Baba Bulle Shah at Ludhiana. He exhorted the people to change their mindset to usher an era of overall development and growth in the sub-continent and they could play a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of both nations. The dark phase of war and animosity must come to an end to pave a path for an amicable solution of the pending issues through a mutual dialogue with a sense of commitment and sincerity. He congratulated Mr.Badal for the victory of his party in the recent Assembly elections and becoming a Chief Minister of the state. He said that probably he was fortunate enough to lead a first delegation during Mr.Badal’s newly form government. He underscored the need to send delegations of writers, journalists, politicians and social thinkers to promote and crystallize the thought process to enhance the prospects of “Indo-Pak friendship”. He hoped that there was a tremendous potential of trade and commerce between Indian and Pakistan Punjab but this could only be tapped with the concerted efforts on the part of both governments to ensure peace across the border to instill the sense of security and confidence amongst the prospective investors and entrepreneurs.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Rai Hassan Nawaz, District Nazim Saiwal, Wahid Asgar Dogar, MLA and Mallick Fazal, Deputy Nazim, Chief Secretary RI Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru, Advisor to Chief Minister Dr.Daljit Singh Cheema and Media Advisor Harcharan Singh Bains.