A retired Indian Revenue Service officer, SK Goyal, reminisces here about his visit to Pakistan way back in 1978 and talks about the complex realities of the ties between the two nations.
I visited Pakistan in 1978 during my posting as an Indian Government Officer in Amritsar which is at a stone’s throw from Lahore. Some of my guests coming to Amritsar visited the Wagah Border to witness the ceremonial parade held everyday by the BSF and the Pakistani Rangers at the lowering of flags at dusk.
Like most people visiting the border, I too had a great curiosity to see the land behind the checkpost. It was, however, learnt that visa to visit Pakistan was not given to an average Indian.
My desire to cross the border was fulfilled when I happened to meet an old friend of mine posted in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. He used to visit Amritsar in connection with India’s trade with Pakistan which had been allowed after many years.
Esta historia es de la edición October 16-31, 2016 de Bureaucracy Today.
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