Pakistani women on Taj visit talk harmony

AGRA - It is in the interest of peoples of India and Pakistan to have harmonious and friendly relations, a group of women belonging to Pakistani NGO Paiman said during a visit to the Taj City Tuesday.

The group of 45 members of Paiman, which strives for empowerment of marginalised groups, particularly women, was accorded a welcome in the city Monday evening.

Before leaving Agra Tuesday, they interacted with reporters at a function held at the Heritage Institute of Tourism and underlined the importance of closer working relations in the field of environment.

Nargis Khan, a member, said that the Pakistani “awaam (public) wants good relations with India, but to serve some interest groups, (thorny) issues were being kept alive”.

“Let border lines remain where they are… you come to Pakistan, we will welcome you with open arms,” she said, adding that people of the two countries love each other.

“In 63 years since independence, we have only shared hatred and bloodshed, provoked by others. It’s time the people of the two countries ignored the rulers and built bridges of love and understanding,” said the Paiman member.

Paiman executive director Mussarat said gaps and distances were at the highest level, not at the level of the masses.

She said Pakistani TV channels were not shown in India, whereas “we are all hooked to Indian films and channels”.