Issue 69 Vol III, August 15, 2008

E D I T O R I A L

Towards peace and prosperity

THOSE people in the Indian sub continent who wish no wars, no hatred, open borders and peaceful co existence are feeling disillusioned. These people from  India and Pakistan are not only worried about the slow and tardy pace for the resolution of old conflicts like Kashmir, but also about other confidence building measures. If Pakistan is nervous about the fast deteriorating situation in its Baluchistan, NWPF and  the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan and Jihadist elements  attacking innocent unguarded targets,  the battles lines in Indian Jammu and Kashmir are being firmly drawn daily and innocent citizens across the vast Indian territory are under attack every other day.

It is not that they have lost heart and have become despondent. They feel strongly and urge everyone around to be vigilant about the mischief makers, the imperial game plans working hard to keep the pot of Indian Pakistan relations boiling. The imperialists and war mongers gain a lot from the tensions, divisions and restlessness. And, then there are those that make political capitals out of fear and communal hatred and caste divisions.

Happily the number of those people across the two countries who seek peace and friendship is now very large and is increasing by every day. this was visible one thousands marched from Lahore to the Wagha border in Pakistan and more than equal response was visible from Amritsar and Punjab to Atari border to assert that they want peace and friendship. Braving harsh weather, these people thronged the border r check post at Wagha and heard popular folk singers, Hans Raj Hans, Alam Lohar, Harbhajan Mann and many others under the banner of South Asia Free Media Association and the Hind Pak Dosti Munch. Exchange of candles that started as a small effort has become a major movement for peace   across the two countries. Candles are now more than symbolic gestures. One has to be there to feel the warmth and the strong desire for peace among all sections in Pakistan and India.

Those thousands that gathered there on the night of August 14 resolved that the people who have gathered here to celebrate our respective Independence Day(s), wish to build bridges of friendship, partnership and cooperation to fight together scourges of poverty, terrorism and extremism while upholding the banners of our national sovereignty and independence and brotherly neighbourhood.

They urged the governments to remove all hurdles in the way of free movement of people, goods and information across our borders and work together to promote cooperation in whatever area that we agree and create conducive conditions of trust and confidence to resolve our bilateral disputes through peaceful means.

The declaration also called upon the governments and the people to revise the visa regime and exempting journalists, business people, academicians, artists, writers, students and elderly from the formalities of visa.

It called for promoting trade and investment, communication networks and co-operation in services, energy, food, water, education and health.

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