New Delhi, Aug 09: Carrying a message of peace and brotherhood, 34 MPs today left for Pakistan to hold meetings with a wide spectrum of political and social leaders, including President Pervez Musharraf, and discuss bilateral issues. The Members of Parliament took the Swarna Shatabdi Express to Amritsar and will cross the border through the Wagah check-post by afternoon.

RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav, Congress leaders Margaret Alva, Mani Shankar Aiyar and BJP MP Balbir Punj, all members of the delegation, said "they were going to Pakistan with a message of peace and brotherhood".

"This is a goodwill mission and we are representing the people and not the government. People of both countries want peace," they told reporters at the New Delhi Railway Station.

The MPs said that they hoped to meet as many people as possible and would try to bridge the gap between the two countries.
They also said that they have got an one-hour appointment with Musharraf on August 12.

Bureau Report