Much ado over a lunch: Pakistan's online buzz

Islamabad, April 8 (IANS) Asif Ali Zardari's lunch with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh evinced sharp responses from online users in Pakistan, with one saying that the president "cannot offer anything" and another stressing that "no one in his/her right mind would think a lunch will solve anything at all".

Zardari began his day-long trip to India by heading straight to the Indian prime minister's official residence at 7 Race Course Road for the talks followed by a delegation-level lunch.

In a response to an article in the influential Dawn's online newspaper, moonjely sony wrote: "hey, its a personal visit to ajmer. lunch can be to-gather with any one. zardari can not offer anything ,with out his military bosses consent.so enjoy India,s lunch and comeback."

Wrote raika45: "Both the countries could not come to an understanding through all these years, and you expect a lunch date will solve everything.What wishful thinking."

Yet another online user, Rahman, wrote: "No one in his/her right mind would think a lunch will solve anything at all! But, this will certainly would be a goodwill gesture to move forward on formal basis, perhaps soon in near future! Wouldn't you agree!"

Mohamed Harun, an online user, suggested that "if Pakistan did real trade with India as well as use the Indian Tech Giants to train the tech saavy they would really prosper and the Islamic Radicals would be defeated by prosperity and Non-violence (commerce)".

Agha Ata, however, wondered: "I didnt know Zardari was spiritual."

He would later fly to Ajmer to offer prayers at the revered dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti that those who throng it believe has the powers to fulfil the wishes of the faithful.