Chandigarh: Evan as tension continued between India and Pakistan after Uri terror attack in which 20 soldiers of Indian Army were martyred, nineteen girls from Pakistan who were in the city to take part in a youth festival left for home on Monday after conclusion of the event, "overwhelmed" by the Indian hospitality.
The girls had reached the city Tuesday night on a seven- day visit to take part in the 11th Global Youth Peace Festival, which concluded here last evening.
Pramod Sharma, the event's organiser, said after the Indian authorities including the Ministry of External Affairs assured them that they should not worry about the girls while they are here, their trip carried on as per schedule.
"Today, the Pakistani girls and one male member of the delegation left for home. They were sent back home in a bus from here and the crossed over to Pakistan from the Wagah border," Sharma said, as per PTI.
On October 1, head of the delegation Aliya Harir who runs a cross-border peace initiative Aghaz-e-Dosti had spoken to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who assured them all help.
"Extremely overwhelmed. Spoke to Sushma Swaraj ji who assured that Pakistani delegation of GYPF 2016 will reach Pakistan back safe," Aliya said in a tweet.
Extremely overwhelmed. Spoke to @SushmaSwaraj ji who assured that Pakistani delegation of GYPF2016 will reach Pakistan back safe.
— Aliya Harir (@AliyaHarir) October 1, 2016
In her reply, Swaraj tweeted, "Aliya - I was concerned about your well being kyonki betiyan to sabki sanjhi hoti hain (...because one's daughter is everyone's)."
Aliya - I was concerned about your well being kyonki betiyan to sabki sanjhi hoti hain. https://t.co/9QyeMQfRwy
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 3, 2016
According to Sharma, the girls also visited Shimla during their trip.
"The Pakistani guests said they felt at home here and were overwhelmed by the Indian hospitality," he said.
(With Agency inputs)
