Pakistan peace mission arrives in India to ease bilateral tensions

New Delhi, Jan 22 (ANI): A delegation of social activists, journalists and intellectualsnder the banner of 'Peace Mission from Pakistan', arrived here on Wednesday to ease tensions between the two nations

The South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) and the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) have joined hands in bringing this 24-member peace missionrom Pakistan on a three-day visit to India.

SAHR and SAFMA believe the peace process can be reinforced through societal interaction the media and political leadership.

The delegation includes Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairperson Asma Jahangir, human rights activist I A Rehman, intellectuals and politicians from Pakistan.

The delegation along with its Indian counterparts met Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik in India.

Addressing the meet and members of SAHR and SAFMA, Malik assured that Pakistan would carry forward investigation on the Mumbai attack and bring the culprits to justice.

"The message that I carry from Pakistan is that the Government is sincere, committed in carrying forward the investigations at one end leading to evidence, to persecution and trying to get to the bottom of it, no matter where it leads to. This is a commitment made at the highest political level in Pakistan," Malik said.

Jehangir said the mission would explore the possibility of reciprocation by Indian civil society.

"People to people contact and the talks between the common people should not end. The tensions between both the countries should lessen down and to tell that we were saddened to hear about the Mumbai attacks.

It was hair-raising, we felt horrible. It was something that many Pakistanis felt it as traumatic. Not only for the victims but for the people living here ... all the peace loving people living of the region," she added.

This is the first peace mission from Pakistan visiting India after the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks. (ANI)