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Imam Bukhari in Pak on peace mission

The Imam of Delhi's historic Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Shah Bukhari arrived in Lahore on a low-key mission, reportedly initiated by Islamic clerics in India and Pakistan, to help resolve outstanding issues, including the Kashmir problem.

Media reports said Tuesday that soon after his arrival late Monday night, Imam Bukhari had a meeting with Governor of the Punjab province Mohammad Safdar during which he outlined the objectives of his visit.

The Nation quoted the Imam as saying that Muslims of India and Pakistan enjoyed good relations, which should be utilised to pave the way for peace.

It quoted the Governor as telling Bukhari that peace cannot be established in the region without resolving the Kashmir issue and Pakistan is ready to hold purposeful dialogue with India to settle all differences.

The Imam is likely to meet military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar besides top officials of the foreign ministry, it said.

Commenting editorially on it, the daily said the visit was part of efforts to bring the Islamic clergy of the two sides to resolve thorny issues after the failure of track-II diplomacy.

"One cannot interpret the visit by Syed Ahmad Bukhari, the Imam of the Delhi Jama Masjid, except as a move in this direction. The visit is being presented as a private affair but the fact that while in Pakistan the Imam is scheduled to meet Kashmiri leaders, Ulema and government officials indicates there is more to it than meets eye," it said.

It also said a delegation of leaders of Pakistan's Islamic religious parties intends to visit India next month.

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