Aalishan Pakistan’ faces another hurdle in India

Unidentified men shout derogatory slogans outside the exhibition venue

NEW DELHI:

A group of men holding saffron coloured flags with symbols of ‘Om’ staged protests at ‘Aalishan Pakistan’, a four-day event by around 300 exhibitors from across the border, here  on Thursday. The lifestyle exposition started Thursday at Pragati Maidan in the capital.

The unidentified men shouted derogatory slogans and even said “murdabad” outside the venue. However, they were soon taken away in a police bus. A few men also managed to get into the venue, but no destruction was caused.

“There was no destruction. Police have been deployed. It’s all sorted. They didn’t say who they are, but there’s nothing to worry. The security is in place,” a security official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

Shoppers from the capital were not bothered either.

“I am here to buy some fashion and lifestyle products. I reached before 11a.m. I am a graduate from the University of Delhi; so protests don’t scare me. They are just mobs. Security is here and if the government of India has allowed [‘Aalishan Pakistan’ to happen], why should people have any problem,” asked Mridula a student.

Just last week, Hindu groups protested the decision to host ‘Aalishan Pakistan’. The protests came after the second Made In Pakistan Expo in Mumbai was recently cancelled at the last minute by organisers.

‘Aalishan Pakistan’ has been jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan to further build on the efforts of the governments of Pakistan and India to normalise trade relations between the two countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2014.

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