AJMT's Peace conclave on Mar 9 on Ayodhya
LUCKNOW, Feb 17 (UNI) Ayodhya Jama Masjid Trust (AJMT) will host a 'Hindu Muslim Peace Conclave' in New Delhi on March 9 to be chaired by Kanchi Kamkoti Peeth Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati.
AJMT convenor captain Sikandar Rizvi told UNI yesterday that the conclave would be attended by religious leaders and eminent intellectuals from both the communities, who would hold deliberations for a peaceful and feasible solution to the Ayodhya issue.
He said prime minsiter Atal Bihari Vajpayee would be invited as the chief guest and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh would also be invited.
Captain Rizvi said the trust had already submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) asking for land at the undisputed site in Ayodhya for construction of the Jama Masjid, so that a Ram temple could be built at the acquired land under the Ayodhya act, 1993.
"Our endeavour is to start the simultaneous construction of the temple and the mosque from March 21, 2004," he added.
However, he regretted that some people from the Muslim community were opposing the trust's stand and ignoring the fact that the AJMT stood for a peaceful resolution of the vexed issue, he observed.
PIA's second Boeing 777 aircraft arrives NEW DELHI, Feb 17 (UNI) Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has acquired a second Boeing-777 that could be placed into operation for India.
The plane took off from Seattle in the United States over the weekend and completed its journey after non-stop flying for 14-and-half hours before landing at Islamabad airport.
It flew to Karachi after a brief stopover at the Pakistani capital, according to reports reaching here.
High officials of PIA welcomed the crew and other members who arrived on Boeing 777ER, considered the most technologically advanced airplane of the world.
The plane has seating capacity of 327 with accommodation of 33 passengers in the first class.
PIA had ordered eight Boeing 777s in 2002.
The plane included three 777-200ER (Extended Range), two 777-200LR and three 777-300ER.
The third delivery is due next month and the deliveries will continue till March 2008 when PIA will receive the last machine.
The national carrier is confident that 777 will play a crucial role to spur the country's economy.
The financing of 1.5 billion dollar deal included 85 per cent financing by the US-EXIM bank.
It is the largest deal in the history of PIA.