Pak World Peace award for Capt Singh

Chandigarh, Aug 25 (UNI) Pakistan Chapter of World Peace Foundation has honoured Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for ''fostering goodwill, peace, friendship and mutual understanding through people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan, especially between East and West Punjab.

Ch Jamil Ahmed Khan, president of Pakistan Chapter of World Peace Foundation and former member, National Assembly of Pakistan, conferred the peace award upon Capt Singh here on Wednesday.

Applauding Capt Singh for his unique initiative for bringing people of India and Pakistan closer, he said the process of people-to-people contact had been intensified with increased reciprocal visits of delegations of media, trade, industry, artists, lawyers and the legislators to boost the peace initiatives and to bring social, cultural and economic transformation.

Striking a nostalgic chord, Ch Jamil reminisced of his days in the erstwhile Patiala State and said despite ill-health he could not resist the chance to come here.

''It was sheer love and passion for my birthplace Patiala where I was born in 1921, did graduation from the Government Mahendera College in 1941 and spent his entire childhood in the streets of the Patiala city with unbounded pristine glory and rich culture'', Ch Jamil said.

While thanking Ch Jamil, Capt Singh said he was really indebted to him for bestowing a great honour. He said that both Punjabs had contributed in their own unique way towards the consolidation of confidence building measures initiated by the national governments of these countries.

''India and Pakistan are the two largest economies in the South Asian region and provide tremendous potential for bilateral trade.

Indo-Pak relations have several positive features by virtue of shared cultural values, historical and philosophical links, people-to-people contacts and long standing cooperation in the economic, commercial and agricultural areas,'' said Capt Singh.

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