13 years ago
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari lands in Pakistan.
Sources: Pak President Zardari asked India to play cricket in Pakistan
Zardari leaves for Pakistan
Zardari offering the chaadar at the Dargah
Zardari to fly to Pakistan from Jaipur.
- Zardari's chopper leaves Ajmer
Just visited #ajmer. So spiritual and peaceful.
- BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) April 8, 2012
- After offering prayers, Zardari left the dargah complex
Zardari's diary entry at the dargah: I have no words to describe my happiness at being here. I pray to Allah that he eases the sufferings of all humanity
Zardari waves at cameras from inside the dargah
Bilawal Bhutto at the dargah
#Ajmer dargah: among the few places where dictators and elected representatives alike, go with their heads bowed down... A gr8 leveller
- Ketki Angre (@ketkiangre) April 8, 2012
NDTV's Ketki Angre tweets from Ajmer
#Zardari visit: roses offered at #Ajmer dargah come from #pushkar, place of worship for Hindus. #Ajmer sharif a gr8 symbol of communal unity
- Ketki Angre (@ketkiangre) April 8, 2012
- President Zardari will be given a Chadar to carry to Baba Farid dargah in Punjab province of Pakistan
- Zardari in sanctum santorum
- Ajmer dargah rolls out red carpet for President Zardari and delegation
- Zardari's entourage reaches Nizam gate, the first gate of the dargah. Anjuman committee secretary greeted him at the gate.
- Syed Iqbal Kaptan and his two sons will be the khadims, who will make Zardari and his family do ziyarat at the dargah
Zardari will be presented with a silver replica of the dargah's dome as souvenir
- Zardari is wearing a traditional Sindhi cap to the Dargah. His wife late Benazir Bhutto was from Larkana in Sindh. Rajasthan shares the longest border with Sindh in Pakistan over a 1000 kms.
- Zardari and Bilawal in Kurta-pyjamas - the tradition garb worn while visiting the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
- Zardari arrives in Ajmer
Zardari's Ajmer visit: Keep windows shut and shops closed, residents toldAsif Ali Zardari Ajmer visit: Residents whose houses face the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti have been asked to keep their windows shut while the Pakistan president is inside the shrine later this afternoon.
- A red velvet chadar, 42 kms long, and with a replica of the dargah's dome embroidered on it, awaits Zardari at the Ajmer-e-Sharief. The Pakistan President will carry the chadar on his head as he walks into the shrine through the Begumee Dalan which was made by Aurangzeb's daughters.
- Zardari and family change into Kurta-Pyjamas...will take off for Ghughra village (near Ajmer) shortly, reports.
Dargah entrance ready for Zardari's visit
Road leading to the Ajmer dargah
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- Special plane carrying Zardari lands in Jaipur
BJP's Sushma Swaraj tweets about lunch with Zardari
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mr Rehman Malik and Mr Bilawal Bhutto were also present.
- Sushma Swaraj(@SushmaSwarajBJP) April 8, 2012
Attended lunch hosted by the Prime Minister for President Zardari and his team.
- Sushma Swaraj(@SushmaSwarajBJP) April 8, 2012
- Bilwal invited Rahul Gandhi to Pakistan and the latter accepted.
Prez nI enjoyed Lunch with #Rahul #Gandhiand #PMSingh. lovely meal. much to learn from each other.
- BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) April 8, 2012
- Zardari boards air plane to leave for Ajmer
Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai on PM-Zardari meeting: Highlights
- Talked for 40 minutes, had a constructive talk covering all aspects of ties
- This is a private visit
- PM expressed appreciation that Pak has moved forward on trade-related issues.
- The discussion covered all aspects of India and Pak bilateral talks.
- Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek discussed
- PM, Zardari discussed terror
- PM said it's necessary to bring Mumbai attack perpetrators to justice
- Hafiz Saeed discussed
Sarabjit's family in Ajmer, hopeful of help from Asif Ali Zardari24-year-old Swapandeep Kaur hardly has any memories of her father, having met him last as a toddler. But Sarabjit Singh's daughter still hopes to see him - her father has been languishing in a jail in Pakistan for the last 22 years and is on death row.
- "Very fruitful visit with good meetings. It will be a milestone for greater understanding," Rehman Malik tells NDTV.
- Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik holds informal talks with Chidambaram
- PM's lunch for Zardari ends
The Prime Minister's Office tweets after PM, Zardari joint address:
PM:I am satisfied with the outcome of this visit. Pres. Zardari has invited me to visit Pakistan which I will undertake on a convenient time
- Dr Manmohan Singh (@PMOIndia) April 8, 2012
PM: President Zardari and I have had a very constructive and friendly exchange of views on all bilateral issues.
- Dr Manmohan Singh (@PMOIndia) April 8, 2012
Highlights of PM-Zardari media address
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh:
- Constructive and friendly exchange of views on all bilateral issues which effect the relations between India and Pakistan.
- President Zardari has also invited me to visit Pakistan. I would be very happy to visit Pakistan on a mutually convenient date.
- The relations between India and Pakistan should become normal. That's our common desire.
- We have a number of issues, and we are willing to find practical, pragmatic solutions to all those issues and that's the message that President Zardari and I would like to convey.
- I would like to wish the people of India Asalaam-u-Aalekum from the President of Pakistan.
- I'm grateful to Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, for inviting me for lunch.
- Although I'm on a private visit here, we've had some fruitful bilateral talks together.
- India and Pakistan are neighbours, we would like to have better relations with India.
- We've spoken on all topics that we could have spoken about and we're hoping to meet on Pakistan's soil very soon.
After the one-on-one meeting, which lasted for a little over thirty minutes, PM Manmohan Singh and Pak President Zardari addressed the media.
- BJP's LK Advani and Sushma Swaraj have arrived at the PM's residence for lunch with Zardari.
Asif Ali Zardari meets PM, Sonia Gandhi absent say sources Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is currently meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his 7 Race Course Road residence, where, over a lunch of mini dosas, biryani and much more, the two countries are expected to lay the road ahead for their relationship.
Bilawal's Facebook fans discuss India tripFans on Facebook wish Bilawal Bhutto on his maiden visit to India. Nazia Rehman, a user, wrote on his fan page on Facebook: "welcome to india..khush amadeed".
Sonia Gandhi will not be attending PM's lunch for Zardari
- Zardari reaches PM Manmohan Singh's house.
The Prime Minister's Office tweets about the preparations underway for the high-profile lunch.
Happening now at PM residence - Preparations for lunch with President Zardari of Pakistan - twitter.com/PMOIndia/statu...
- Dr Manmohan Singh (@PMOIndia) April 8, 2012
Bilawal Bhutto tweets after arriving in India
AOA India Peace be with you. I have just landed in Delhi. 1st ever visit.
- BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) April 8, 2012
Pak President Zardari arriving in the capital. He will be meeting PM Manmohan Singh for lunch in a short while.
Pak President Zardari, who has arrived in India, will reach the Prime Minister's residence shortly. Police have put up fresh barricades along the route.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's special aircraft lands at Delhi's Palam Airport.
Ajmer: Elaborate security measures made for Asif Ali Zardari's visitAs per the programme, Ajmer Divisional Commissioner Atul Sharma, IGP Rajesh Nirwan, Collector Manju Rajpal and SP Rajesh Meena will receive the guests at the helipad located outside the city. The VIPs will then travel 12.3 km on road to the dargah from there.
- Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Senator Rehman Malik and Jalil Abbas Jilani traveling with President Zardari: Senator Farhatullah Babar, Presidential Spokesperson, to NDTV.
Ahead of Zardari visit, Ajmer's khadims remember Benazir"I still remember her when she came here in 2005 with Zardari and spent some time and offered prayers. She visited the shrine thrice and her last visit was in 2005," one of the caretakers said.
- President Zardari on route to Delhi. His flight has left from Lahore airport. 14 members of Zardari's family accompanying him.
Hectic frenzy outside 7 RCR. Police want cameras removed, media refuses.
NDTV's Ketki Angre meets two brides whose nikah timing was advanced to 11 am. It was originally scheduled for 4 pm.
The President arrives in over an hour from now, heads straight to RCR for his one-on-one meeting with the PM, followed by lunch. No structured agenda for the meeting. No officials will be present.
NDTV's Nidhi Razdan reports from outside the PM's 7 RCR residence. The cameras have taken their positions for that precious shot of the cars!
Asif Ali Zardari with Benazir Bhutto at Ajmer dargah in 2005
Released from jail, Zardari had come to the shrine in 2005 with Bhutto and had spent 30 minutes in prayers.
Released from jail, Zardari had come to the shrine in 2005 with Bhutto and had spent 30 minutes in prayers.
- Journalists throng Indira Gandhi international airport ahead of the Pakistan President's high-profile visit to India. Mr Zardari's son Bilawal Bhutto's likely meeting with Rahul Gandhi seems to have picqued their interest more than the Pak Presidents meeting with PM Manmohan Singh. -NDTV reporter Anchal Vohra
NDTV's Ketki Angre has sent us a picture of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti dargah in Ajmer ahead of Pakistan President's visit.
Mr Zardari will spend at least 40 minutes in the Ajmer dargah when he visits the shrine later in the afternoon. As a security measure, movement of people regulated between 2pm to 5pm. The dargah will also remain closed for other devotees while Mr Zardari pays his obeisance.
Ajmer shrine's caretaker talks about Benazir Bhutto's visit to AjmerSyed Anees Kaptan shares with NDTV a letter from Late Benazir Bhutto who had visited the dargah in 2005 with husband Asif Ali Zardari.
Security drill being performed outside the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, a day before Zardari's visit.
Ahead of Zardari's visit, Pakistan security officials inspect the area around Ajmer
- Ahead of his India visit, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani for preparatory discussions regarding his visit, including the case of JuD chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed.
- Mr Zardari is arriving at Palam airport at 11:30 am, accompanied by a 40-member delegation which includes his son Bilawal. Sources say his daughters are not coming.
- After his one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister at 7 Race Course Road, which will be followed by lunch, he will leave for Jaipur.
- He will leave for Ajmer from Jaipur and will return to Delhi in the evening. He will fly back between 6-7 pm.
Will Zardari's visit be just a photo-op?Even though it's a private visit and both sides don't want to build too many expectations, all eyes are on Mr Zardari's lunch meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today. There may be no dramatic announcements on today, but the road ahead for India and Pakistan will be laid, over lunch.
Hafiz Saeed issue unlikely to be focus of talks with PM Manmohan Singh: Pak President ZardariOn the eve of his India visit, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari today said he did not expect the issue of Hafiz Saeed to be the focus of his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, amid growing pressure on Pakistan to prosecute the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder for his role in the Mumbai attacks.
Policemen perform a security drill on a road leading to Ajmer Sharif, where Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will visit on Sunday.
Barra kebab, dosa to be on Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's lunch menuAvial (mixed vegetables) and dosas from the Southern hinterland with prawns, gosht barra kebabs as starters from the central heartland of the country and desserts like phirni from the north and gur sandesh from Bengal will be on the eclectic spread of dishes.
A look at the menu of the lunch hosted by the PM for Mr Zaradari
Zardari to invite Manmohan Singh to visit PakistanPresident Asif Ali Zardari will invite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit Pakistan by the end of this year during his meeting in New Delhi scheduled for Sunday. This was stated by Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit on the eve of Mr Zardari's day-long visit to India during which he will hold talks with Singh at the PM's Race Course Road residence which will be followed by lunch.
Manmohan Singh-Asif Ali Zardari meet: No structured agenda, focus on bilateral ties, say sourcesFocus will be on bilateral issues when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has a one-on-one meeting with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who is making a three-hour stopover in New Delhi tomorrow before flying to Ajmer to pay obeisance at the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, official sources have said.
Zardari's day in India:
• Mr Zardari is arriving at Palam airport at 11:30 am. He will be accompanied by a 40-member delegation which includes his son Bilawal. Sources say his daughters are not coming.
• The Pakistan President will have a one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister at 7 Race Course Road. He will leave for Jaipur post-lunch.
• From Jaipur, Mr Zardari will leave for Ajmer. He will come back to Delhi via Jaipur in the evening and will fly back between 6-7 pm.
• As is the protocol on such occasions, three-tier security will be in place during the Pakistan President's visit. Around 2,000 police personnel will be deployed. Special units will be deployed atop high-rise buildings and along the route Mr Zardari's convoy will take.
• Mr Zardari is arriving at Palam airport at 11:30 am. He will be accompanied by a 40-member delegation which includes his son Bilawal. Sources say his daughters are not coming.
• The Pakistan President will have a one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister at 7 Race Course Road. He will leave for Jaipur post-lunch.
• From Jaipur, Mr Zardari will leave for Ajmer. He will come back to Delhi via Jaipur in the evening and will fly back between 6-7 pm.
• As is the protocol on such occasions, three-tier security will be in place during the Pakistan President's visit. Around 2,000 police personnel will be deployed. Special units will be deployed atop high-rise buildings and along the route Mr Zardari's convoy will take.
Bilawal to accompany ZardariPresident Asif Ali Zardari's son and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chief Bilawal Bhutto will accompany Mr Zardari on his trip to India on Sunday. According to sources, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi may also be at the lunch and the two young leaders from India and Pakistan may get to talk. Read more
Sister of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian on death row in Pakistan following his conviction for alleged involvement in bomb attacks, has said that she will appeal to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari during his Rajasthan visit to release his brother on humanitarian ground. Dalbir Kaur said that she will try to meet Zardari during his private visit to Ajmer dargah on April 8.
Elaborate security measures made for Zardari's Ajmer visitElaborate security arrangements have been made for the high-profile visit of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, who is scheduled to pay obeisance at the dargah of sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer on Sunday. The dargah area will be heavily guarded and police will also be deployed in the surrounding buildings. The dargah market will be closed and view-cutters will be used inside the premises and the entrance of the shrine. Read more
- During the one-day visit, Mr Zardari will be the guest of the PM Manmohan Singh in New Delhi before heading to an important Muslim shrine in Ajmer to offer prayers.
- President Asif Ali Zardari will on Sunday become the first Pakistani head of state since 2005 to visit India when he makes a trip that includes lunch with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
