KARACHI: Making his first visit to Pakistan, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said he was captivated by the warmth of brotherhood and goodwill here as he shared his experiences in realizing his quest for ensuring an all-round development in his state.
“Pakistan and India have common history and heritage. Our bilateral relations are witnessing an all-round progress. We take pride in shared history that goes back to time immemorial,” Kumar said at a luncheon hosted by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
“I feel happy to be in Pakistan. I bring good wishes and greetings for people of Pakistan,” said the Chief Minister, who arrived here on a week-long visit to Pakistan.
He said he was “deeply touched” by the hospitality extended to him on his first visit to Pakistan. “I have been captivated by the warmth of brotherhood and goodwill.”
Sharing his experiences, Kumar, who became Bihar’s Chief Minister in 2005, said that “seven years back we started our quest for establishing governance and ensuring an all round development,” which was both “a challenge and an opportunity”.
“With our resolve for growth with justice manifold achievements have been marked across sectors like governance, law and order, human resource development, infrastructure and agriculture,” he said.
Kumar said there is strict control over organized crime resulting in overall dip in crime graph in the state.
“Improved law and order has paved the way for restoring the authority of the state. No communal riots or social discord has been witnessed in the last seven years.”
“With communal amity and social harmony came development.
Bihar achieved compound annual growth rate of 11 per cent over a period of last 5 years and aims at 13 per cent rate of growth for the 12th Plan. Growth rate for 2011-12 counts at 16.7 per cent, which is highest in the country.”
Kumar also spoke of the state government’s focus on sectors like education, health, women empowerment, agriculture, road infrastructure and poverty alleviation.
He said that atmosphere of peace and security has been ensured for minorities in Bihar during the last seven years.
“The state has been absolutely free from communal riots.”
Multifarious schemes and programs have been launched for socio-economic development of minorities with special emphasis on their educational development, the Chief Minister said.
“Good governance is the mantra of our growth story,” Kumar said, adding his state has a zero tolerance against corruption.
Earlier, Kumar visited mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah to pay homage to the founder of Pakistan.
Accompanied by the Sindh Chief Minister, he laid floral wreaths at the ‘mazar’ and the two leaders stressed the need for peace and brotherhood between the two countries.
“I believe that Pakistan and India need to work together and exist peacefully with each other. This will not only guarantee prosperity and development for both countries but also for the entire region,” Kumar told reporters outside the mazar.
Kumar also visited Karachi’s famous Mohata Palace, built in the tradition of stone palaces of Rajasthan.
The visit to Mohata Palace “has reinforced my belief that the cultural links between our two nations are abiding which is central to our history. If we shared a common past, it is wise to share a common future regardless of geographical boundaries,” he wrote in the visitors’ book.
Visit to temple
Nitish Kumar undertook a whirlwind tour of interior Sindh, visiting a temple and addressing a Hindu panchayat, where he said that India and Pakistan need to co-exist peacefully and work for good governance in the region.
“I have brought a message of peace, love and brotherhood from India,” Kumar said while addressing a Hindu panchayat in interior Sindh, adding that the frequency and number of exchange of delegations should be enhanced for furthering relationship between the two countries.
Kumar also visited the ancient Mohenjodaro site and stressed on more cooperation and coordination between Pakistan and India.
Kumar and his delegation visited the historical Sadho Belo temple near Sukkur, the Indus valley civilization ruins of Mohenjodaro near Larkana and Garhi Khuda Baksh which is the ancestral home of the Bhutto family in Larkana.
Kumar was overwhelmed while visiting the Mohanjodaro site that dates back to 5000 years and said it had reinforced his belief that Pakistan and India share so many common values and culture that they need to work closely together in the region.
“The cultural links between the two countries are abiding and central to our history. We need to co-exist peacefully and work for good governance in the region,” Kumar said.
Addressing a gathering of Hindu Panchayat during his visit to Sadhu Bela temple he said that India and Pakistan shared many common values and if exchange of dialogue is constant, it might improve relationship between the two countries.
He stressed the need to promote atmosphere of mutual understanding, brotherhood and peace among India and Pakistan which is need of hour aimed at progress, prosperity and development in the area.
Kumar also prayed at the historical Sadho Bela temple.
The visiting CM noted that the Sadho Bela temple was a sacred place for Hindus of Pakistan and India and represented hope for everyone.
“It is held in high esteem by Hindus in both countries that is why I cherish this visit today,” Kumar said.
The general secretary of the Hindu Panchayat in Sukkur informed the visiting delegation that after the recent floods, the evacuee trust property had done a big job to clean up the temple complex and rid it of large number of snakes.
Kumar took deep interest in the art and architecture of the temple and was informed about its history dating back to 1823 by the religious leaders.-PTI
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