Peacenik favours people-to-people contact between India-Pak

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) People-to-people contact between India and Pakistan can ensure peace and stability in the southasian region and Governments of both the countries must show flexibility in their stand to achieve that goal, according to peace activist and author Awais Sheikh.

''Normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan is essential for progress, development and prosperity in South Asia...

only people-to people contact can ensure stability and confidence,'' said Mr Sheikh, the author of 'Samjhota Express'.

Commending the resumption of the India-Pakistan peace process, he said the talks are a victory of the people of the neighbouring countries.

''This is the people's pressure, their longstanding collective struggle that has forced their governments to settle all issues amicably through a dialogue,'' said the President of the Pak-India Peace Initiatives.

''People should maintain the pressure on their respective Governments,'' he added.

Advocating relaxation of the stringent visa policy, Mr Sheikh said visa offices in Mumbai and Karachi will facilitate smooth cross-border travel of people.

About the contentious Kashmir issue, he said it must be resolved through negotiations in a democratic manner.

''The Kashmiri leadership must be taken into confidence while resolving the issue.'' Mr Shiekh said the Pak-India Peace Initiatives will work towards estabilishing peace between the two nations and in South Asia in collaboration with the UNO.

Expressing the hope that the an agreement on Siachen will soon be finalised, the author said it will pave way for a ''no war pact''.

Favouring lifting of ban on newspapers, television channels and magazines of one country into the other, he said exchange of information will help dispel misconception among the public.

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