Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on November 27 that he received an invitation to the World Punjabi Conference in Lahore. Speaking in the Punjab Assembly, he mentioned that the event organizers invited him and offered hospitality in Lahore.
Mann raised doubts about whether the central government would grant him clearance for the trip to Pakistan, speaking with his usual sarcasm regarding foreign travel permissions. He noted that past travel requests to France and Japan were blocked by the government, which makes approval for Pakistan uncertain.
Even with his doubts about obtaining clearance, Mann stated his desire to participate in the gathering. He pointed out the common heritage across the border, noting that poets and other attendees are heading to Lahore. He stated, "Our culture is the same. Our poets and others will go to Lahore. I also want to go."
The Punjab Assembly speaker suggested during the session that Mann bring fellow assembly members along if travel is approved. Mann replied that he wished for all of them to visit Kartarpur. While these statements verified the invitation and his desire to visit Lahore, they did not clarify if he will actually attend the conference.
