Indian peace delegation in Pak to help revive ties

Islamabad, Feb 23 (PTI) An Indian peace delegation led
by Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is in Pakistan to help
improve relations between the two neighbours, which have been
strained following last year's Mumbai terrorist attacks.

The 13-member delegation comprising civil society
activists, journalists and rights activists, which crossed the
Wagah border Sunday, was received on the Pakistani side by
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan chairperson Asma Jahangir,
SAFMA secretary general Imtiaz Alam and actress Meera.

Bhatt said the peace mission's objective is to promote
peace and build trust between the two countries. He compared
the Indo-Pakistan situation to a long dark night but hoped
that he would soon see a silver lining in every dark cloud.

"Salaam, salaam, salaam. Peace to you. Peace to you.
Peace to you," he said when asked by reporters what was his
message for the people of Pakistan.

The filmmaker, who was in Karachi just last week to
participate in the Karafilm festival, said the days of tension
between the two countries are numbered. Soon peace and
friendship will prevail in the region, he added.

Bhatt said the Indian delegation had come to light
candles of peace across the border and to drive away the bad
omens associated with the Mumbai attacks.

The Indian team, which is on a four-day visit, includes
veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar and spiritual leader Swami
Agnivesh.

The other eminent personalities in the team include K N
Panikar, Salman Haider, Kamal Mitra Chenoy, Seema Mustafa,
Sandeep Pandey, Kamla Bhasin, Jatin Desai, Hanif Lakdawala,
Ramesh Yadav and Shabnam Hashmi.

Alam said missions such as these are aimed at promoting
peace and harmony between the two countries after the Mumbai
attacks.

He hoped that both countries would make serious efforts
to resume their derailed peace process and revive
confidence-building measures.

Jehangir said going to war was not an option for an of
the two countries and the peace mission should play their role
to build peace.

A member of the Indian delegation said: "Pakistan's
leaders have made an unprecedented call for opening up trade
and investment as a priority matter even before all the
contentious issues are finally settled.

"We hope that Indian authorities will respond
appropriately and take this matter further. Similarly, we will
hope to see quick progress on other issues that are being
discussed as part of the bilateral dialogue."

The Indian activists said they keen to see closer
contact between non-official bodies of the two countries, for
which freer movement of people across the border will be
required. PTI RHL
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