ISLAMABAD – As part of outreach efforts, Pakistan’s High Commissioner toIndia Sohail Mahmood visited Kolkata and had interaction with a broad rangeof people, including from the academia, media and the civil society.In the academic realm, the High Commissioner visited the Maulana Abul KalamAzad Institute of Asian Studies, a message received here from New Delhi onTuesday said.Besides conferring with the Chairman and Institute Director, the HighCommissioner had an interactive session with a large group of researchscholars currently resident at the Institute.The subjects covered included India-Pakistan relations, CPEC, SAARC andregional developments.The High Commissioner particularly highlighted the role of the youth in thetwo countries and urged them to play their part in improving mutualperceptions and building a constructive atmosphere, as they wereunencumbered by the bitterness of the past.High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood later visited the Calcutta University,where he had detailed interaction with the Vice Chancellor and seniorfaculty members.Established in 1857, Calcutta University is the oldest in South Asia andhas had four Nobel laureates associated with it.Among other things, High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood was informed about the“Iqbal Chair” as well as the Pakistan and West Asia Centre functioning atthe university.The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of regular interfacebetween academics and scholars as part of people-to-people contacts betweenthe two countries.Stressing the importance of what he called “intellectual connect”, the HighCommissioner underlined that the process would enable the thinking peoplein the two countries develop a more nuanced understanding of each other,which, in turn, would help constrict the space for misrepresentation andpromote more objective evaluation of the realities.In his interaction with a group of civil society representatives, organizedby the Kolkata-based Centre for Peace and Progress, the High Commissionerinter alia stressed the importance of sustained engagement and structureddialogue between India and Pakistan.Noting that the bilateral relationship was complex, he said dialogue wasindispensable to understand and address mutual concerns, resolveoutstanding disputes, find common ground, and develop mutually-agreedsolutions. He particularly emphasized the positive role that the youth andthe media could play in this endeavour.Noting the particular trajectory of bilateral relations over the past 72years, he said both sides must resolve to ensure that the next 72 yearswould be different.High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood also visited the Urdu Academy of WestBengal, where he interacted with the academy members and saw the ongoingbook fair.The High Commissioner presented “Kuliyat-e-Iqbal” and a few books ondifferent genres of Urdu literature for the academy’s library.Later, the High Commissioner paid a visit to the National Library, thelargest in India and successor to the Imperial Library, and saw its vastcollection, including rare books and manuscripts.He also visited the “Mother House” and paid homage to the remarkable lifeand achievements of Mother Teresa.He was briefed on her life-long mission of helping the poor, sick and thedestitute, which is now being carried on by her followers.In the last leg of the visit, the High Commissioner visited JorasankoThakur Bari, the house where famous Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore wasborn and also breathed his last.Altogether, Tagore spent almost 40 years of his life in that house, whichis now a museum and serves as a living testimony to his monumental life andwork.High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood also visited other iconic places inKolkata such as the Victoria Memorial and the Eden Gardens, and offeredFriday prayer at the historic Tipu Sultan Mosque.Sharing his impressions, he said he found Kolkata’s multiple layers ofhistory and culture as fascinating. He hoped to return to the city, tocarry on the outreach.
Pakistan High Commissioner to India takes an outreach initiative
