MPs’ team exultant after Pakistan peace mission

Kartar Singh Duggal, noted Punjabi writer, said: ‘‘The issue of Kashmir is at the back of their minds and it was there in every meeting. If we keep Kashmiris happy by giving them autonomy and allow them to have their own prime minister, it would help. We have conveyed to them that Kashmir is an integral part of India.’’

He added that though they wanted a plebiscite, they also knew that a solution could be found on the basis of give-and-take made by both countries for peace. Maybe what they have witnessed in terms of destruction in Iraq recently has helped them change their approach towards the issues of mutual importance, said Nayar.

Shouting slogans of ‘‘Bharat Pak Ekta Zindabad’’, ‘‘Manukh Ekta Zindabad’’, the MPs appeared exultant at the welcome they had been accorded at the other end, especially by the common people who ‘‘are keen for more contact with people here, no visa complications for travelling and more buses, trains and flights.’’

The MPs said they were given special receptions by the acting President of Pakistan, the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, the Dawn newspaper team and others though they were unable to meet Prime Minister Jamali.

Pawan Bansal, Congressman from Chandigarh, said: ‘‘There is great love for India there, you have to see it to believe it. Relations would not become perfect overnight but the trip would contribute to easing the tension as there is total realisation in Pakistan that nothing would be gained by war.’’

Shahid Sidiqui (SP) said: ‘‘Not once did we hear slogans about ‘jihad’ this time. ’’