Gujral Wins Hearts In Pak With New Year Cards

Setting a new trend, Prime Minister I K Gujral sent New Year greetings not only to top Pakistani officials but prominent business leaders, social workers and journalists in the country as well.

Signed by the Prime Minister and his wife Shiela, the cards mailed from the Prime Ministers residence in New Delhi greet the recipients in both Hindi and English.

With all good wishes for the New Year reads the brief printed message on the cards, which carry a colourful sketch of a black peacock flaunting its red, crimson and saffron wings.

The cards are part of a child relief campaign and have been prepared by a student of JP Petit High School, Mumbai.

 

Most of the people who got the New Year cards from the Gujrals were surprised. It was a pleasant surprise to receive New Year greetings from Gujral, News Network International (NNI) editor-in-chief Hafiz Abdul Khaliq said.

Hidayatullah, a member of the Pakistan-India Friendship Association (PIFA), said this was the first time that any head of government from either of the two countries, had sent greetings to people from a cross section of society. He said this could be a good beginning.

Some politicians who got the New Year cards also appreciated Gujrals gesture. Khalid Mahmood of the Pakistan Peoples Party said, It is good and should be reciprocated.

NNI editor Hafiz described Gujral as a nice fellow. Hafiz had met the Prime Minister as an active PIFA member in 1993, when Gujral visited Pakistan. He was introduced to Gujral by then Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif at the residence of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain who is now Pakistans interior minister. Gujral had promised Hafiz an interview the following day at a hotel in Rawalpindi.

But when I went there he had left for Jhelum to meet some of his old friends and see his ancestral house with a message that he will meet me some other time, Hafiz recalled. Former President Farooq Leghari had arranged a helicopter to take Gujral to Jhelum.

Now he owes me an interview for my news agency, Hafiz said. - India Abroad News Service