The speakers at a seminar on Indo-Pak peace relations have said that the people-to-people contact should be increased between the peoples of two countries because without this process, peace could not be possible. They also said that there should be a joint investigation and joint prosecution of Mumbai carnage.
A 13-member Indian delegation and Pakistani speakers expressed these views while addressing the seminar on Indo-Pak peace, organised by South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) here on Monday.
They urged that both the governments should take steps for the establishment of permanent peace and show responsible behaviour.
Speaking on the occasion former finance and foreign minister Sartaj Aziz said that people of both sides want peace. He said that recent Mumbai attacks has increased tension between the two countries. He also said that people of South Asia should be united for building peace in the region because without peace, prosperity in the region would not be possible.
Former foreign minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri said that during their government, the relations with India were excellent and the direct trade between the two countries was increased from 200 million dollars to two billion dollars. He shared his experiences for the peace process as foreign minister.
Indian delegate Seema Mustafa said that we should create interest for peace in both the countries and not for the war. She said that peace should be institutionalised. She also said that it is the role of the media to play a responsible role, adding that if they don't play a responsible role then these television channels would turn into the cooperate houses.
Mahesh Bhatt said that the main objective of the peace mission was to promote peace and build the trust between the two countries. He symbolised Pak-India situation with a long dark night but hoped that there was a silver lining in every cloud and days of tension between the two countries were numbered and peace and friendship will prevail in the region.
Central leader of Pakistan People's Party Syeda Abida Hussain said that democracy in Pakistan could not be strengthened without friendly relations with India. In the same way secular image of India could be maintained only with maintaining good relations with Pakistan.
Pakistan People's Party leader Rana Aftab said that his party is a great supporter of peace and there is a need of more confidence building measures from both the sides for the establishment of peace. General Secretary Safma Imtiaz Alam also spoke on the occasion.