'India no more enemy country for people of Pakistan' Yudhvir Rana, TNN
ATTARI: A group of Pakistani nationals arrived in India via Attari border on Wednesday to attend the 8th joint convention of Pakistan-India People's Forum for peace and democracy, scheduled to be held in Allahabad from December 29 to 31.
The peaceniks were of the opinion that efforts made to reduce differences at common man's level to forge cordial ties have helped change the mindset of people in both the countries.
Talking to TOI, chairman of Pakistan chapter of the forum, A Rehman, said they would discuss with their Indian counterparts about ways and means to further the ties between the two nations.
"We have to coexist in a peaceful environment and not under the threat of militancy and arms race," said Rehman, adding that it was due to the pressure built up by the common man that both governments were holding composite dialogue for confidence building.
He said that in the past eight years, he had seen a sea of change in relations between India and Pakistan. "People of both countries have now got ample chances to meet each other and exchange views, which was not the case earlier," he said.
A delegate, Dr Ravish Nadeem, a resident of Rawalpindi, who had arrived in India for the first time, said that about two decades ago, India was an enemy country for common Pakistani, but now the mindset has changed.
"There are only a few people left who still have the same dogmatic thinking while majority of people in Pakistan wants friendlier relations with India," said Nadeem.
President of Folklore Research Academy, Ramesh Yadav, said that efforts like holding conventions were confidence building measures at civilian level. He expressed hope that with the efforts of peaceniks, travel and trade would soon become a common phenomena between the two nations.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Freed Indian prisoners have warm memories of time in Pakistan jail Half an hour after the retreat ceremony at the Wagah-Attari junction, the two gates on either side of a thin white line that forms the border between India and Pakistan w .....more

Fishermen's release: Setting the record straight Senator (R) Iqbal Haider,
Senior Advocate Supreme Court
With reference to Beena Sarwar's article last week about the release of Indian prisoners, I hope you .....more

BRIEFS

Making dreams come true

The dreams of three Pakistani children came true recently when Aman ki Asha in collaboration with Make-A-Wish Foundation Pakis .....more

Crossing the red line

Over 300 young students of Lahore's schools join hands to promote friendship between Pakistan and India

By Waqar Gillani
In twenty-five minutes, the .....more

Looking a New Year gift horse in the mouth Pakistan's release of 183 Indian prisoners on Jan 7, 2012 is a welcome step but it also highlights the ongoing issues faced by cross-border prisoners

By .....more