Thaindian News

Lahore, Feb 23 (ANI): A 13-member Indian delegation, comprising eminent civil society members, journalists, peace and human rights activists, crossed the Wagah border on Sunday in a bid to promote peace and friendship between India and Pakistan.

The delegation includes eminent Indian personalities like former Indian diplomat and journalist Kuldip Nayar, renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, social activist Swami Agnivesh, historian and academician Prof KN Panikar, former diplomat Salman Haider, human rights activist Prof Kamal Mitra Chenoy, journalist Seema Mustafa, Sandeep social activist Pandey, social scientist Kamla Bhasin, etc.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Chairperson Asma Jahangir, South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) Secretary-General Imtiaz Alam and many other representatives of the civil society at the border warmly welcomed the delegation on Sunday.

The News quoted Bhatt as saying that the main objective of the mission was to promote peace and build trust between the two countries.

He symbolised the Indo-Pak situation with a long dark night but hoped that there was a silver lining in every cloud.

The days of tension between the two countries were numbered, he said, adding that peace and friendship would prevail over the region. He said the Indian delegation had come to light candle of peace across the border to shed bad omens of the Mumbai attacks.

SAFMA Secretary-General Imtiaz Alam said his organisation had welcomed the Indian delegation, as it was really a great peace mission. Peace missions in India and Pakistan were aimed at promoting peace and harmony between the two countries after the Mumbai attacks, he said.

HRCP Chairperson Asma Jhangir said going to war was not an option for both the countries.

Talking about the role of peace activists and peace missions, she said the basic objective of any peace mission was to play a role as a peace-builder, as a peace mission always helped promote understanding between the two countries.

The delegation members said they had come to Pakistan at a difficult time, as the Mumbai attacks had shocked and angered India, which had severely affected relations between the two countries and there was an uncertainty what lay ahead.

They also welcomed the recent steps taken by Pakistan to move against some of the persons responsible for the Mumbai attacks. They also underscored the need for repairing broken ties between the two countries. They resolved not to allow anyone to create any untoward situation. (ANI)