Indo-Pak peaceniks light candles at Wagah

Wagah, Aug 15: At the stroke of midnight peaceniks from India and Pakistan shattered the silence of the night at this joint check post as they joined hands and chanted 'Hind-Pak dosti zindabad' on the occasion of the Independence Days of the two countries.

Exhibiting strong bonds of friendship and love they called for ending hostilities between the two neighbours and shuning hatred through increased people-to-people contact between the citizens of India and Pakistan.

Holding candles they talked of the strong cultural ties between the Punjab's of the two countries. The popular Punjabi song 'Yeh Punjab bi Mera Hai, Voh Punjab Bi Mera Hai' dished out by Hansraj Hans refered to the cultural bonds that still bind the East and West Punjab.

The Pakistani delegates of South Asia Free Media Association, (SAFMA) including a few MPs who had arrived at Amritsar yesterday were accorded a warm welcome by members of the Indian chapter of SAFMA and Hind Pak Dosti Manch Chairman and noted journalist Kuldip Nayar on arrival at the checkpost shortly before midnight.

Secretary General of the Pakistani branc of SAFMA, Imtiaz Alam said no one could stop the residents of Amritsar and Lahore from coming together as the people of the two Punjabs wanted peace and friendship. He called for further imcreasing the levels of interaction between the two Punjabs.

The peaceniks of both countries resolved to call upon the leadership of both nations to continue with the ongoing peace process. A resolution passed during the 'candle light vigil' condemned terrorism and all forms of voilence. Mr Nayar called upon people of both countries to take forward the peace process.

Mr Nayar appealed to both governments to take positive measures to bring peace in the subcontinent. He also sought easing of visa restrictions and allowing free movement of intellectuals, businessmen, writers and journalists.

Besides Mr Alam other members of the Pak delegation included Begam Hasnain, Samina Gurki, Shakila Rasheed, Mohammad Pervez Malim and Chowdhary Manzoor Ahmed, all members of the Pakistan National Assembly. BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu and senior journalist Satnam Manak also participated in the candle light vigil.

The resolution passed appreacited the supreme sacrifices made by Shaheed Bhagat Singh and other freedom fighters of the two nations who were instrumental in freeing their countries from the shackles of foreigh rule.

The resolution also called for opening of visa centres at Amritsar and Lahore and relaxing of visa procedures so that buses plying between Amritsar and Lahore did not run empty.

UNI