12-26-2007, 11:17 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>My friendship with Amarinder a non-issue: Aroosa Alam </b>
Zeenews Bureau
Chandigarh, Dec 26: In an attempt to clear the controversy regarding her alleged âaffairâ with former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Aroosa Alam, a 50-yr old Pakistani journalist called a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club on Wednesday.
Alam, who is also the President of South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), appeared composed as she answered questions posed by journalists. She called Amarinder Singh a âgood friendâ and said that she respects him for his wisdom and vision. She said that the Captain is very popular in Pakistan for his good work. She emphatically stated that, âWe are friends and will always remain so.â
She revealed that she has always been foremost in promoting peace between India and Pakistan, but she has been drawn into a baseless controversy.
She said that she likes India, as the two countries are very much alike. Through SAFMA she has always tried to improve relations between the countries. She wondered why such a hue and cry was being raised over her friendship with Captain Amarinder Singh.
Aroosa felt that her relationship with the Captain should in fact have been applauded, as they are two friendly individuals from two ânot-so-friendlyâ nations. She added that she has met the Captainâs mother and sister and has asked about their welfare.
Taking a defiant turn, she attacked the Indian media for invading her private life. She said, âWe should always respect each otherâs privacy. I think Pakistani media is far more liberal than Indian journalists. The Pakistani media doesnât delve into personal affairs of its politicians.â She also added that there seems to be some political motive over this unsavoury controversy.
This month, she came from across the border to visit former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Since then there has been a flood of accusations, controversies and about her close association with Singh.
In the State Assembly, an Akali MLA went to the extent of blaming Amarinder of being intimate with an âISI agentâ. A section of the Akali leadership also demanded a discussion on this matter of âgrave threat to Indiaâs internal securityâ.
The duo had met in 2004, when Captain was on a trip to Pakistan. There he met Aroosa Alam, daughter of Akleen Akhtar, popularly known in Pakistan as Rani General, a socialite who had considerable influence on Pakistan polity of 1970s.
Alam has two sons. Her elder son is a lawyer in London and her younger son is a rap musician and a popular television host in Pakistan. Singer Adnan Sami is her nephew.
Alam had earlier admitted that she was in India along with her elder son, a 33-year-old lawyer from London, when Punjab was going to the polls. Amarinder Singh became the target of allegations when he disappeared from the campaign scene for about a week to escort his friends from Pakistan to Ajmer.Â
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Zeenews Bureau
Chandigarh, Dec 26: In an attempt to clear the controversy regarding her alleged âaffairâ with former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Aroosa Alam, a 50-yr old Pakistani journalist called a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club on Wednesday.
Alam, who is also the President of South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), appeared composed as she answered questions posed by journalists. She called Amarinder Singh a âgood friendâ and said that she respects him for his wisdom and vision. She said that the Captain is very popular in Pakistan for his good work. She emphatically stated that, âWe are friends and will always remain so.â
She revealed that she has always been foremost in promoting peace between India and Pakistan, but she has been drawn into a baseless controversy.
She said that she likes India, as the two countries are very much alike. Through SAFMA she has always tried to improve relations between the countries. She wondered why such a hue and cry was being raised over her friendship with Captain Amarinder Singh.
Aroosa felt that her relationship with the Captain should in fact have been applauded, as they are two friendly individuals from two ânot-so-friendlyâ nations. She added that she has met the Captainâs mother and sister and has asked about their welfare.
Taking a defiant turn, she attacked the Indian media for invading her private life. She said, âWe should always respect each otherâs privacy. I think Pakistani media is far more liberal than Indian journalists. The Pakistani media doesnât delve into personal affairs of its politicians.â She also added that there seems to be some political motive over this unsavoury controversy.
This month, she came from across the border to visit former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Since then there has been a flood of accusations, controversies and about her close association with Singh.
In the State Assembly, an Akali MLA went to the extent of blaming Amarinder of being intimate with an âISI agentâ. A section of the Akali leadership also demanded a discussion on this matter of âgrave threat to Indiaâs internal securityâ.
The duo had met in 2004, when Captain was on a trip to Pakistan. There he met Aroosa Alam, daughter of Akleen Akhtar, popularly known in Pakistan as Rani General, a socialite who had considerable influence on Pakistan polity of 1970s.
Alam has two sons. Her elder son is a lawyer in London and her younger son is a rap musician and a popular television host in Pakistan. Singer Adnan Sami is her nephew.
Alam had earlier admitted that she was in India along with her elder son, a 33-year-old lawyer from London, when Punjab was going to the polls. Amarinder Singh became the target of allegations when he disappeared from the campaign scene for about a week to escort his friends from Pakistan to Ajmer.Â
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