Sushma Swaraj helps Pak girls get back home

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj reached out to a group of 19 Pakistani girls who were visiting Chandigarh for a youth festival, and assured them of their safety, after which the girls returned to Pakistan safely and thanked the minister profusely.

The minister was initially contacted by Aliya Harir, convenor of peace forum Aghaze Dosti, an India-Pakistan friendship initiative, and leader of the girls’ group, who voiced concern over her team’s safe return to Pakistan in the wake of its worsening ties with India.

Ms Swaraj replied: “Aliya — I was concerned about your well-being ‘kyonki betiyan to sabki sanjhi hoti hain’ (as everyone is concerned about the safety of daughters).”

“Extremely overwhelmed. Spoke to @SushmaSwarajji who assured that Pakistani delegation of #GYPF2016 will reach Pakistan back safe,” Ms Harir tweeted earlier. “Aap ki beti kehlane ka sharf hasil hai, aur kya chaheyay (proud at being called your daughter). The delegation has reached back home safe & immensely happy. Thanks a million times,” Ms Harir tweeted on behalf of the group after their safe return to Pakistan.

The group of 19 Pakistani girls travelled to India to take part in the Global Youth Peace Festival in Chandigarh on September 27. They were due to return on Tuesday. The 19 girls were “overwhelmed” by the Indian hospitality.

Reports from Chandigarh said Pramod Sharma, the event’s organiser, said that after the Indian authorities, including the external affairs ministry, assured them they should not worry about the girls, their trip carried on as per schedule.

“Today, the Pakistani girls and one male member of the delegation left for home. They were sent home in a bus from here and crossed over to Pakistan from the Wagah border,” Mr Sharma said Monday night. He added that the girls had also visited Shimla. “The Pakistani guests said they felt at home here and were overwhelmed by the Indian hospitality,” he was quoted as saying. After India’s surgical strikes across the Line of Control, the Chandigarh police further strengthened the Pakistani girls’ security. For most of the girls, this was their first visit to India.