It could prove to be a meaningful step in the ongoing fight against terrorism and a breakthrough in bilateral relations, if India accepts Pakistan's proposal to join the forum of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP). President Asif Ali Zardari made India the offer to join FoDP during his address at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London last Friday.
This initiative of the President has caught the eye of political leaders and opinion makers in Pakistan. Awami National Party, the main ally of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in the centre and the NWFP province, is fully supportive of the move.
Senior Vice President of ANP Senator Haji Adeel in a statement welcomed the initiative saying the offer would contribute to progress of Pakistan, which is worst hit by international war against terrorism.
Pakistan is part of a global war against terrorism and was not only defending itself, but also protecting the world including India from the fires of militancy, he noted.
The countries and international bodies included in the Friends of Pakistan group are the United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, European Union, European Commission and United Nations. The Friends of Democratic Pakistan provides a forum to friendly countries to build strategic partnership with Pakistan to foster peace and stability in the region, promote economic stability and address energy needs.
The leadership of PPP whose past clearly shows that it is continuously pursuing a foreign policy of having friendly relations with all neighbouring countries, wants India to respond positively to the offer.
NWFP Senior Minister belonging to PPP, Rahim Dad Khan, veteran PPP leader Malik Hakmeen Khan, Chairperson of NA Standing Committee on Special Education Rubina Saadat Kaimkhani, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Education Gul Muhammad Jakhrani, Sindh Provincial President PPP and Minister for Health Syed Zafar Ali Shah and Sindh PPP leader Syed Waqar Mehdi promptly came up with statements endorsing Zardari's step to take along India on the FoDP forum.
A powerful section of intelligentsia always believed that the way forward for Pakistan is to move with India on a sustained path of peace and prosperity.
And they are appreciative of the significance of the offer and are hoping that India will seriously consider it as they think it will effectively help deal with the Frankenstein of terrorism jeopardising the future of civil societies. The President's goodwill gesture was meant to allay fears in India that any aid to Pakistan through FoDP would abet forces indulging in terrorism in any way.
Chairman of Department of International Relations, Karachi University Dr Moonis Ahmer said through his address President Zardari gave a clear commitment to the world that Pakistan wants regional co-operation, peace and stability in South Asia.
He said if India joins FoDP it will also give impetus to the process of democratisation in South Asia. It will be closely watched as to how India responds to the offer, which is genuine and will provide a high profile forum to the two neighbouring countries whose people desire permanent peace and a life free of terrorism and extremism.