AMBALA: A delegation of journalists, advocates and writers visited Lahore (Pakistan) on the invitation of South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) for a three day interactive discussion titled ‘Pak-Hind Dialogue’ at Avari Hotel, Lahore.
SAFMA General Secretary Imtiaz Alam while initiating the discussion said the people from India and Pakistan had fought together against the British for independence and should celebrate the independence day together.
He said under globalisation today, India and Pakistan were still caught up with fostering the idea of nationalism based on hatred by each other. He pointed out that Kashmir was often presented as a divisive issue keeping the two nations away from one another.
He however, said the issue was not as important but it presented a negative mindset of the people. He said Pakistan had suffered badly as more than 50 thousand people and about 600 army men lost their lives in terrorist’s or extremist’s attack.
Another SAFMA activist Parvez Tahir stressed the need of economic integration of the region because peace was not possible between the two if the economies of both the countries were not sound.
Leader of the Indian delegation Chanchal Manohar Singh emphasised the need of bringing the people of both the countries close by sharing the common culture, tradition and languages.
He urged that dialogue was the only solution to end the mutual animosity and the doors of peace should not be closed. It was resolved that peace process should continue between the two countries.
The delegation comprising 12 delegates returned back to India on conclusion of 3-day visit.
