Candle light procession held at Wagah to strengthen Indo-Pak ties

Wagah Border (Punjab), Aug 15 (ANI): Human rights activists and intellectuals from India and Pakistan held a candlelight vigil at the Wagah border on Friday night to spread the message of peace and harmony.

The hour-long midnight vigil on August 14-15 coincided with the 63rd Independence Day celebrations of both countries. Seeking to dismantle what they call barriers of hatred between India and Pakistan after last year's terror attacks in Mumbai, the participants carrying candle lights and torches and marched to the Wagah check post shouting slogans of "Long Live India-Pakistan Friendship".

Iqbal Haider, a Pakistani activist claimed that Kasab, the lone gunman captured during the Mumbai carnage, was not just India's enemy but an enemy of Pakistan too.

" Kasab is not just your enemy but he is our foe as well. The attacks that happened in Mumbai, such attacks have happened quite often in our Pakistan by such terrorists. Thousands of terrorists like Kasab have ruined the peace of Pakistanis," he added.

Indian social activists, who also included eminent Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt, showed their support for reviving friendly ties between India and Pakistan.

Calling it a 'mission', Bhatt said that with this candle light vigil they are trying to rekindle the feeling of love among the people of India and Pakistan for each other.

"With this candle we will light millions of other candles to illuminate their heart. We will arouse the feeling of love among people. When the wind of terrorism will blow, we will join each other's hands together to fight it back," he added.

Punjabi pop singer Hans Raj Hans enthralled the crowd with a lively performance on the occasion. (ANI)