Efforts For Sustained Dialogue, People To People Contacts Between Pakistan, India Stressed

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood has underlined efforts for sustained dialogue and enhanced people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and India.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Dec, 2018 ) :Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood has underlined efforts for sustained dialogue and enhanced people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and India.

The High Commissioner was talking to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during his visit to Bhubaneswar in context of the ongoing visit of Pakistan national hockey team, participating in the Hockey World Cup 2018. According to a message received here Wednesday from New Delhi, the High Commissioner highlighted the historic initiative on the opening of "Kartarpur Corridor", in deference to the long-standing wishes of the Sikh community.

During the meeting possibilities for people-to-people interaction and collaboration in different fields with Odisha were discussed. The High Commissioner congratulated him and the people of Odisha on hosting the Hockey World Cup. He also noted the progress made by Odisha in various fields under the leadership of Chief Minister Patnaik's. In his interaction with the local media, the High Commissioner reiterated his felicitations to the people of Bhubaneswar and Odisha on hosting the Hockey World Cup and noted the contribution made by this international event towards the revival and growth of hockey in the subcontinent.

Answering a question about possible hockey series between India and Pakistan, the High Commissioner hoped that such exchanges would indeed take place in the future. Among other things, he said, such series would popularize the game among the youth and could help the two countries re-gain their past glory in the field of hockey. Separately, High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood interacted with the national hockey team and extended best wishes to the players in their World Cup participation. Besides the team members, those present included Mohammad Rizwan Sr. (Captain) and stalwarts like Hasan Sardar (Manager), Islahuddin Siddiqui (Chief Selector),Tauqeer Dar, Danish Kaleem, and Rehan Butt.High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood also watched the Pakistan-Netherlands pool match. The match commenced after the High Commissioner was invited to shake hands with the two Captains on the field.The High Commissioner hosted a lunch in honour of the national team. Senior members of the Pakistan contingent and team players expressed thanks for the support and facilitation extended by the High Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi during their visit to India.