MEMBER OF INDIAN PARLIAMENT DESH PANDEY MEETS ALTAF HUSSAIN IN DELHI

NEW DELHI (November 08-2004) Eminent human rights activist and member of Rajya Sabha, Nirmala Deshpandey and the founder leader of Muttahida Quami Movement Altaf Hussain jointly appealed to their respective governments today to ease travel facilities, and exempt senior citizens of over 6o years of age from visa restrictions.

They made the appeal at their formal meeting here, stressing that such a step would promote greater people to people contact between the two neighbors.

The Indian leader, who had called on Mr Hussein at his hotel suite, emphasized the need to strengthen ties with Pakistan.

Mrs Deshpandey recalled that she had demanded on the floor of the house that the two countries should reduce their armies. India should take the lead. That would help build confidence.

Extending Mr. Hussain a hearty welcome, she described his visit as a “good omen”, expecting it to be harbinger of an enduring peace between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Lauding the gesture for the distinguished leader, Altaf Hussain agreed that friendship between the two countries on a permanent basis would help resolve the basic problems of their respective residents.

Mr Hussain spent another hectic day giving interviews to Sahara TV, ETV, newspaper India Abroad and to well known website Redif.com. He also met the large number of party workers who had come especially from Pakistan to meet their leaders after 12 long years. Their meeting lasted well over till the wee hours of this morning.

Altaf Hussain during telephonic talk with special cell members in Karachi, disclosed that the Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh with whom he had a detailed meeting two days ago, had assured him that visa facilities would soon be made available in Karachi. The Indian leader said that India was ready to open Kokhrapar route and was even ready to complete the remaining portions of railway track on the Pakistani side of the border.