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A dinner to remember in Pakistan
Saturday September 08, 2012 03:47:54 PM, Jaideep Sarin,
IANS
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Islamabad: The dinner
reception hosted by Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat
Sabharwal Friday night could easily be termed as a high point in
the thaw between India and Pakistan.
While the reception was in honour of the visiting Indian External
Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, it was the presence of the
Pakistani leaders and artistes which caught the fancy of the large
Indian media contingent there.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik, known for his controversial
remarks, was virtually mobbed for bytes and comments by the Indian
media while Pakistan's glamorous Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani
Khar was much at ease. Malik could be seen sweating the most from
the heat of the camera lights.
Top Pakistani singers, Abida Parveen and Arif Lohar, too were busy
giving bytes. Abida Parveen could be seen commenting and even
briefly singing a few lines for the Indian news channels even as
her relative stood close-by with a plateful of `samosas' and other
eats.
Others at the reception included top political leaders of various
political parties, federal ministers, Members of Parliament,
business leaders, artistes, civil society and NGO members.
Hectic day for Krishna
Despite his cool demeanour, Krishna had a hectic schedule in
Islamabad during the first day of his three day visit to Pakistan.
After his arrival, Krishna had a series of meetings with leaders
of the Awami National Party, Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and
Pakistan Muslim League (Q). This was followed by his meeting with
Pakistan's new Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf.
Krishna called on Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari late Friday
evening - infact, after the reception hosted by the Indian high
commissioner ended at the Serena hotel.
Tight security
Authorities in Pakistan are not taking any chances with security
during Krishna's visit. In Islamabad, Krishna's motorcade has
several security vehicles along with the fleet of Mercedes cars.
Traffic is stopped everytime the VVIP guest moves. The Serena
Hotel, where Krishna, the Indian delegation and media are staying,
is like a fortress with several security checks at every step.
In fact, leading hotels like Marriott and Serena have a multiple
tier security around them. Security agencies, obviously, don't
want to take chances with the terrorist attack on Marriott hotel
here a few years ago.
Krishna's Lahore visit
Krishna will be spending a few hours in Lahore Sunday after
finishing his engagements in Islamabad. He is expected to meet
political, business and civil society leaders there during his
visit. He is also scheduled to visit the memorial of Maharaja
Ranjit Singh and a couple of other places there.
(Jaideep Sarin
can be contacted at jaideep.s@ians.in)
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