Fighting corruption: Anna Hazare agrees to visit Pakistan
Indian social activist says he will visit Pakistan after recovering from weakness and completing India yatra.
KARACHI:
Indian social activist Anna Hazare has accepted an invitation by a two-member Pakistani delegation to visit Pakistan soon, Hindustan Times reported Wednesday.
Hazare gave his consent at the Ralegan Siddhi village when he was visited by former Supreme Court judge Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid and eminent peace activist Karamat Ali on Wednesday.
(Read: In search of a Hazare)
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Ali said:
Hazare said that he would like to visit Pakistan if it "helped the anti-corruption movement there."
Earlier, the social activist had carried out a 13-day 'peaceful' hunger strike against corruption in India. His protest focused on the anti-graft legislation known as the “Lokpal” (Ombudsman) Bill.
Hazare broke his fast on the request of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also gave in to his demands.
Following the footsteps of Hazare, noted Pakistani businessman and political activist Raja Jahangir Akhtar also began a “fast unto death” to launch a movement against burgeoning corruption, disproportionate allocations for military and rising obscurantism and intolerance.
Akhtar ended his nine-day hunger strike when parliamentarians and leaders assured him that an anti-corruption bill will be tabled in the parliament.
Indian social activist Anna Hazare has accepted an invitation by a two-member Pakistani delegation to visit Pakistan soon, Hindustan Times reported Wednesday.
Hazare gave his consent at the Ralegan Siddhi village when he was visited by former Supreme Court judge Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid and eminent peace activist Karamat Ali on Wednesday.
(Read: In search of a Hazare)
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Ali said:
Many people in Pakistan have been inspired by Hazare. We would like him to visit our country and meet those who want to fight against corruption.
Hazare said that he would like to visit Pakistan if it "helped the anti-corruption movement there."
Once I recover from the weakness and complete India yatra, I am going to visit Pakistan.
Earlier, the social activist had carried out a 13-day 'peaceful' hunger strike against corruption in India. His protest focused on the anti-graft legislation known as the “Lokpal” (Ombudsman) Bill.
Hazare broke his fast on the request of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also gave in to his demands.
Following the footsteps of Hazare, noted Pakistani businessman and political activist Raja Jahangir Akhtar also began a “fast unto death” to launch a movement against burgeoning corruption, disproportionate allocations for military and rising obscurantism and intolerance.
Akhtar ended his nine-day hunger strike when parliamentarians and leaders assured him that an anti-corruption bill will be tabled in the parliament.