The Frontier Post
Published Date: Mar 14, 2014
Indian delegation visited Pakistan to promote peaceful relations
A high-profile peace activist delegation from
India has visited Pakistan to take part in the \’Track-II Diplomacy\’ on
enhancing peaceful relations between the two countries. In this regard,
delegate conducted a briefing of \"People to people contact: a way
forward\", which was organized by Sustainable Development Policy
Institute (SDPI), Islamabad.
The Indian delegation was comprised of four participants Satya Paul
Arora, Secretary General, South Asian Fraternity, New Delhi, Bhawani
Shanker Kusum, Chairman, Gram Bharati Samiti, Amer, Jaipur, Shri
Kharaiti Lal Bhola, Chairman, Patita (Destitutes) Sudhar Sabha, New
Delhi and S. Ranjit Singh, Secretary , Lala Lajpat Rai Birthplace
Memorial Committee, Dhudike. Satya Paul Arora discussed the problems and
prospects of peace between India and Pakistan. He said that the two
governments should relax visa regime as the people from both the
countries can hold video conferences but people to people contact was
too demanding for them. Furthermore, he said that visa for journalists,
traders, lawyers, students and academicians should specifically be
relaxed for a better communication & business relationships.
Shri Kharaiti Lal Bhola said that the problems were not limited to the
governmental level, but in fact serious psychological and mental
constructs among the people created serious barriers and constraints for
peace. Both governments should spend money on welfare instead of
defense. Bahawani Shanker Kusum stressed to have no visa restrictions on
both sides so that there should be peaceful exchange programs between
youth and new generations without any hindrance. Ranjeet Singh
appreciated the positive attitude of Pakistanis towards Indians during
exchange visits. Ahmad Saleem, renowned writer said that SDPI has
conducted studies on common history and events of 1947 & 1971.
However, instead of narrating violent events, our researchers has
compiled about the events where the people saved people hailing from
other religion and sectarian. He opined that there was a need to remove
hate material from our common history.