Urdu can strengthen Indo-Pak. ties: PV

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JULY 5. The former Prime Minister, Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao, has said that Urdu language has the potential to bring India and Pakistan together.

Speaking at a function organised to pay homage to Ali Siddiqui, founder of Alami Urdu Conference, Mr. Rao recalled his visit to Pakistan as Foreign Minister and how his interaction with Urdu scholars paved the way for the success of official discussions with Pakistani leaders.

``Urdu is one thing which can unite the people of the two countries,'' he remarked. Mr. Rao paid rich tributes to Ali Siddiqui, who also founded Priyadarsini College of Computer Sciences at Delhi.

The former Prime Minister said Siddiqui had a rare collection of photographs of world leaders and also places of interest across the globe, which could be displayed in a permanent exhibition for the benefit of the people. He pointed how Siddiqui was of great help to him in sorting out some ticklish problems.

Mr. Rao said Siddiqui had such influence on the people that ``he could get a person like late Raja Muthaym Rao withdraw his nomination papers against me in Manthani constituency, way back in 1962 election.''

Several speakers recounted his contribution to promotion of Urdu and computer education. Mr. Aijaz Qurashi, convener of the Ali Siddiqui Memorial Trust, said a museum was proposed to be set up in memory of Siddiqui.

The former Minister, Mr. Asif Pasha, Mr. Khaleel-url-Rehman, ex- MP and others spoke.

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