New Delhi: During his 30-minute visit to the Jama Masjid here on Tuesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif remarked, “I feel as if I am in Lahore. There was a time when India and Pakistan were one and people used to live happily. Though there is a division of land, the hearts of the people are one. I want both the countries to live in peace.”
Mr Sharif added that now that the new government has been formed in India, he has a lot of expectations from it.
“He felt as if he was in Pakistan as there appeared to be no difference between this Jama Masjid and the one he visits in Pakistan. He told me that he has come to India with a message of peace and to build closer ties with India,” Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, said quoting Mr Sharif.
The Pakistan Premier was presented with a picture of the 17th century mosque as a momento. “He was eager to visit the Matia Mahal,” the Imam added. He also said that he had urged Mr Sharif to relax the visa norms between India and Pakistan.
Accompanied by adviser on national security and foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz and foreign secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, the Pakistan PM also took a round of Chandni Chowk and visited the Red Fort. The Pakistan PM also visited the famous Meena Bazaar in the ‘Walled City,’ which had to be closed due to security reasons.
