Pak-Indo Destination For Peace


Pak-Indo Destination For Peace

Islam Online

ISLAMABAD – Eyeing a peaceful settlement between the two nuclear archrivals, two leading media groups have launched a campaign to tackle major sticking issues between India and Pakistan.

“This commitment is calculated and structured as peace between India and Pakistan is tantalizingly inevitable and yet missing,” Mahmood Sham, editor of Pakistan’s Jang Group, told IslamOnline.net Sunday, January 3.

Co-launched by Jang Group and Times of India Group, the initiative “Aman Ki Asha” (Destination for Peace) aims to debate major sticking issues between the two rivals.

“Through this initiative, we seek to push forward the peace process and bring to the fore the benefits of harmony, cooperation and trust that have eluded the people of the sub-continent for last 62 years because of the restrictive visa regimes, and confrontational politics.”

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since independence from Britain in 1947, two of which were over the disputed region of Kashmir.

Peace talks between the two countries have stalled over recent terror attacks on Indian parliament and the city of Mumbai as well as the Kashmir dispute.

India says peace talks with Islamabad could not be revived until the masterminds of Mumbai attacks are brought to the justice.

Pakistan, for its part, argues that India is not cooperating with its prosecutors to bring the culprits to justice.

Islamabad also says it is only interested in genuine talks with New Delhi to settle their differences.

The joint peace initiative was originally set to be launched last year.

“But because of the Mumbai attacks, emotions were running so high, and our editors were not ready to even listen about that,” Rahul Kansal, director in charge of the Times of India, told IOL.

“But after the elections, things got little eased and at the end of the year we thought that it is high time to launch this initiative.”

A recent survey by the two media groups found that 72 percent of Pakistanis and 66 percent of Indians are in favor of durable peace between India and Pakistan.

Tough Ride.

The organizers agree that the peace initiative will not be an easy task.

“No doubt, the problems are chronic and complicated, especially the Kashmir dispute and the water issue,” Sham, one of the most senior journalists in Pakistan, said.

But he insists that sincere efforts from both sides can change the reality.

“When there is will, there is a way.”

Rahul Kansal, from the Times of India, agrees.

“Honestly, I don’t know what and how much effect this campaign will have vis-‘-vis resolution of chronic and complicated issues between the two countries,” he said.

“It is premature to predict anything higher in this regard.”

Kansal believes that Pakistani and Indian media can play a major role in improving relations between the two archrivals.

“Pakistani and Indian media directly and indirectly influences the hearts and minds of the people of two countries,” he said.

“It can create an enabling environment where new ideas can germinate and bold initiative can sprout.

“This initiative can offer solutions to the decades-long problems, and nudge the leadership of the two neighbors towards a sustainable peace process.”

The two media giants say that the people of the two countries pin hopes on their respective media.

“At least, common people of India feel that politicians cannot deliver 100 percent as per their expectations,” said Kansal.

“There is a vacuum to fill. Therefore, they feel that the Indian media can do something to bridge this gap.”

Sham, the editor of Jang Group, shares his view.

“Earlier, such campaigns were launched by individual personalities or human rights groups,” he said.

“But this time, two largest media groups have joined hands to push the establishment, politicians, and common citizens of the two countries to resume peace talks.”

Courtesy: Islam Online




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