By our correspondent
LAHORE: The dialogue ‘A Common Destiny’, the first of Aman ki Asha series on strategic importance to India and Pakistan concluded in Lahore here Friday amidst note of consensus among the intelligentsia from both countries that media can sensitize the people of respective countries to put pressure upon their governments to break status quo position for the sake of bringing peace in the Subcontinent.
The intelligentsia from both sides of the divide participated in a programme hosted by renowned anchor Iftikhar Ahmed from leading news channel GEO, and expressed their views in open and frank manner.
The participants were divided in two groups including former Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, Dr Mubashir Hasan, Arif Nizami, Shafqat Mehmood and Amin Hashwani from Pakistan side while Salman Haider, Prem Shankar Jha, Amitabh Mattoo, Admiral (rtd) Nayyer and Admiral (rtd) Ramu Ramdas represented India.
Host of issues encompassing terrorism, water, Kashmir, role of establishment, visa restrictions and other controversies came under the discussion and the intelligentsia from both sides presented their point of views on particular points and made their efforts to remove each-others misconceptions. Student from leading universities in Lahore and members from civil society were also invited to ask questions. Most of the questions from the audience were related to terrorism, water, visa problems and the role of establishment in discouraging peace initiatives.
Former Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri opened the discussion highlighting the significance of initiative of two leading media groups from India and Pakistan to maintain peace in the region. He was of the view that we should not take commonalties like culture and language between the two countries as granted because many of the neighbouring countries including Russia-Poland, Iran-Iraq and France Germany were running hostilities despite being identical to each-other. He said the peace required uninterruptible dialogues between the two countries for sustainable peace. He disclosed that the Kashmir issue was just inches away from solution during his stay in Foreign Office as minister.
Former Indian Foreign Secretary Salman Haider appreciated the peace initiative by the two leading media groups and claimed that it was vital for the masses of both countries to have an understanding that peace must prevail over hostility. He was hopeful that Aman ki Asha would have positive impact. He said he had greater expectations from the new generation having enlightened vision that they would have better understanding that peace would benefit the both countries. He claimed that he wanted there should be easy visa process between the two countries. He was of the view that the establishment from both countries would have to change its mindset in easing restrictions. On trade, he claimed that its volume had increased compared to the past but there still needed to be done a lot because people from across the divide were prepared to make huge investments.
Admiral (rtd) Nayyer claimed that India despite being bigger country was more engaged in countless domestic problems compared to the low profile of Pakistan that they could not focus on bridging differences with it. He was of the view that India had little pressure of outside world and greater influence from people of Kashmir as they were not pleased with their policies.
Amitabh Mattoo claimed that the political leadership and masses in India wanted peace with Pakistan but its establishment was resisting such efforts. Giving credence to his argument, he claimed that there was significant development on Kashmir issue during Musharraf-Manmohan tenure but later on the situation dramatically worsened. He claimed that political leadership from both countries would have to resist establishment for initiating peace. He claimed that PM Manmohan believed that India could not attain bigger status in the world unless it maintained peace in the subcontinent after settling all disputes.
Dr Mubahsir was of the view that supreme powers in Pakistan were calling the shots whereas the state machinery was just a puppet in their hands. He dispelled impression that India was stealing water of Pakistan and claimed that if Pakistan had any proof of it, why it was not lodging its complaint under Indus Water Treaty. Commenting on visa restrictions, he admitted that Indian government had given relaxations on visa which had to be withdrawn later on after Pakistan had not reciprocated such initiatives.
Arif Nizami was of the view that India for being a bigger nation and country had the greater responsibility to take the peace initiative. He said the Indian government had always reflected narrow minded whenever there was opportunity to take initiative. He alleged that Indian establishment agreed on resolving Kashmir issue during Musharraf regime as they had firm belief that such agreement would never be executed owing to weakening position of Musharraf in Pakistan.
Prem Shankar Jha claimed that former Indian Prime Minister IK Gujral during his tenure as PM had announced to lift visa restrictions and decided that visas would be stamped on passports on arrival at borders but establishment stopped its implementation that decision should be withheld till the time Pakistan did not reciprocate it. He was of the opinion that both the countries instead of taking afresh start would have to assume things from backchannels. Commenting on water issue he said there was misconception in Pakistan that India was stealing or blocking water. He claimed that the mistake India committed was that they started filling Baghlihar dam during lean season when there were less rains and slow snow melting on mountains due to climatic changes. He asked as why water issue was raised after 49 years and claimed that certain powers were playing with it just to air differences.
Admiral (rtd) Ramu Ramdas claimed that India did not have any involvement in Balochistan and tribal areas of Pakistan and if Pakistan had any proof of such thing it would immediately bring it forth. He claimed that they were visiting Pakistan to remove differences and misconceptions.
Shafqat Mahmood was of the view that both sides should lift ban on media to mobilize their people towards peace.
