Pakistan won’t tone down flag postures

Pakistan refused India's request to tone down the ceremony, hand shake between both sides to continue.

LAHORE:

Pakistan on Thursday rejected India’s request to tone down the flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah border.

According to a press release, the Director-General of Punjab Rangers Major General Muhammad Yaqoob Ali Khan has said that the parade will continue in its traditional aggressive style, adding that  firm handshakes between ranger personnels from both sides will also continue.

It may be mentioned that on request of the Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) last month, the Punjab Rangers had taken the decision to discontinue the aggressive marching approach during the flag march ceremony at the Wagah border, which over the years has established its position as a symbolic and traditional feature and  has been witnessed by throngs of people from both sides of the border.

Both Major  General Khan and the Director-General of India’s BSF Raman Shrivastav had earlier  decided that both countries will take substantial steps to free as many prisoners as possible.

They had also agreed to urge their respective governments to initiate the release of fishermen held in their respective countries after detention and official paperwork.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2010.