ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s High Commissoner to India Sohail Mahmood hasunderscored the need for reducing bilateral tensions between India andPakistan including on the Line of Control, implementing Confidence-BuildingMeasures (CBMs) and reviving the structured dialogue process, besidespeacefully resolving outstanding disputes between the two countries.
The high commissioner stated this during his official visit to the Indianstates of Haryana and Punjab from April 23 to 25, during which he hadbroad-ranging interaction with state dignitaries, academics, businessmenand representatives of the media, a press release of the Pakistan HighCommission, New Delhi received here Friday said. Thelink>link>High Commissionerlink> also stressed theneed for taking steps to promote socio-economic development at the regionallevel through the vehicle of SAARC.
link>link>High Commissionerlink> Sohail Mahmoodduring his visit called on Haryana’s Chief Minister. Manohar Lal Khattar.The meeting was also attended by the Haryana Chief Secretary, PrincipalSecretary, and other senior officers.
The high commissioner also called on the Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt.Amarinder Singh, and had an extended exchange of views during the luncheongraciously hosted by the latter at the chief minister’s official residence.Other participants included the Punjab Chief Secretary, Chief PrincipalSecretary, Media Adviser, Director General Police, and other seniorofficers. The link>link>High Commissionerlink>later visited thePanjab University in Chandigarh for interaction with Vice Chancellor Dr.Arun K. Grover and other Members of the Faculty. A group of Universitystudents also participated in the discussions.
The high commissioner also visited the office of the daily newspaper TheTribune, headquartered in Chandigarh. The Tribune, it may be recalled, wasfirst established in Lahore more than 130 years ago. During theseinteractions, views were exchanged on myriad aspects of Pakistan-Indiarelations. Among other things, the role of people-to-people contacts — inparticular media, academia, sports and the youth — in changing perceptionsand creating a conducive environment for sustainable peace and stabilitywas highlighted.
In the context of making progress on humanitarian issues, the HighCommissioner underlined the importance of early repatriation of Pakistaniprisoners who had completed their sentences. During the course of his visitto Amritsar, link>link>High Commissionerlink> Sohail Mahmood hadinteraction with members of the CII and businessmen associated withPakistan-India trade.
In these discussions, among other things, the role of visa facilitation forPakistani businessmen and the need for revival of relevant business andgovernmental mechanisms for addressing trade-related problems and issueswas emphasized. link>link>High Commissionerlink>Sohail Mahmood alsovisited the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine in Amritsar, to payobeisance.