LAHORE MIRROR — Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan has welcomed Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s desire to visit Pakistan to attend the fourth International Punjabi Conference, describing his statement as a welcome sign amid tensions between the two neighbouring countries.
He said that at a time when the world was talking about conflict, confrontation and war, Mann’s statement had come as a breath of fresh air. He commended the Indian Punjab chief minister for expressing a desire to visit Pakistan despite the prevailing tense atmosphere.
“How can we deny a welcome to someone who wishes to visit our home?” Khan said, adding that Mann would be welcomed wholeheartedly, as his visit would serve a shared purpose.
The speaker said political crises and differences between Pakistan and India had widened the distance between the people of the two Punjabs. However, he described Mann’s statement as a positive development.
“We should welcome the thoughts expressed by the chief minister of Indian Punjab,” he said.
Asked whether the Punjab government would formally invite Mann to the conference, Khan highlighted the importance of the work being carried out by Punjab Parchar to promote regional languages.
He said the promotion and protection of languages were internationally recognised principles, also supported by United Nations conventions.
Khan added that he would be pleased to attend the upcoming fourth International Punjabi Conference.
