Indo-Pak Spring 8217;99

THE PERSONAL TOUCH Leaving nothing to chance, Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, personally oversaw arrangements for Prime Minister ...

THE PERSONAL TOUCH

Leaving nothing to chance, Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, personally oversaw arrangements for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee8217;s historic visit to Pakistan. 8220;It is the Prime Minister8217;s show all the way,8221; quipped a senior Pakistani official to a query regarding arrangements for the high profile visit that has generated much hopes on both sides of the border. In fact, Sharif transferred the entire responsibility of making all arrangements for a smooth trip from the Army to civilian authorities at the eleventh hour, personally ensuring that last minute hitches are sorted out. 8220;It was only on February 16 that the Prime Minister ordered that civilian authorities should take over control with the Prime Minister himself in overall charge,8221; said a Pakistani official.

BENAZIR CALLING

Joining in the spirit of the occasion, former Pakistani premier and Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto expressed her willingness to meet Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeeduring his two-day historic trip to Lahore. Bhutto sent feelers to the Indian camp requesting a meeting with Vajpayee. Although a final decision about the meeting has not been taken in view of the Prime Minister8217;s tight schedule, it is under consideration, the source said.

DELAYED DEPARTURE

Vajpayee8217;s departure for his historic two-day visit to Pakistan was delayed by half an hour. Information and Broadcasting Minister Pramod Mahajan told reporters that the departure was delayed as a packet was left behind at the Prime Minister8217;s residence. As a result, the special Indian Air Force boeing carrying the Prime Minister along with the official delegation left half an hour late. 8220;There was no technical snag in the aircraft and it was delayed just because a packet was left behind in the PM house,8221; Mahajan explained.

BUILDING TIES

The family which owns the company that built the body of the Delhi-Lahore bus for the historic ride of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee hails from avillage near Lahore. The hi-tech bus with the glittering logo Sada-e-Sarhad call of the border was built by a private bus-body building unit in Bangalore to the specifications of the Delhi Transport Corporation. The family, which owns the unit, originally hails from Chakwal, a village located between Islamabad and Lahore.