The Hindu : National : People have a big role, say Pakistan politicians

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Wednesday, Nov 01, 2006
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People have a big role, say Pakistan politicians

Special Correspondent

"India and Pakistan should also work to establish peace in Asia"

NEW DELHI: The people and parliamentarians of India and Pakistan should play an active role in taking forward the peace process. Both countries also have a greater role in establishing peace in Asia.

Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Deputy Leader of the Muttahida Majlis-I-Amal in the Pakistan National Assembly and Chaudhary Manzoor of the Pakistan People's Party said this at a reception organised here by Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami, Jammu and Kashmir CPI (M) MLA.

``People decide here''

"Unlike Pakistan where the army decides for the people, in India it is the people who take a decision. It is easier for you to push the peace process forward and parliamentarians on both sides should be associated instead of meeting at informal levels," Mr. Ahmed said.

Those present included Rajya Sabha MP Nirmala Desphande, CPI (M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury and his party colleagues Hannan Mollah, Mohammed Salim and Nilotpal Basu.

Peace process

Mr. Ahmed said the peace process should not be left just to the governments and defence establishments. Parliaments on both sides should establish committees to go into it.

"If both sides keep increasing their defence budgets every year, it shows that the real intention is not peace. India and Pakistan should also work to establish peace in Asia," he said.

Mr. Manzor said the peace process got derailed after the Mumbai bomb blasts. "Irrespective of what governments say, it is the people on both sides who stand to lose."

Arms acquisition

India and Pakistan were acquiring arms from the same country and decision makers keep the people on both sides in a state of war.

"They don't like peace but they cannot afford a war," he said.

Expressing the hope that the coming Foreign Secretary-level talks would be fruitful, Mr. Manzoor said if the authorities did not find a solution, people must come forward.

Tarigami's plea

Mr. Tarigami sought extension of ceasefire to the whole State. He also wanted efforts made to create conditions for the return of Kashmiri Pandits.

India and Pakistan must take a lenient view and facilitate the return of the "misguided youth" who crossed over to Pakistan but want to return and live in peace.

"These boys have come to realise that guns cannot find a solution to the problem of Kashmir," he said.

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