'People-to-people contacts to change misconceptions' By Khalid Khattak

LAHORE: Pakistani youths attending a strategic discussion 'A Common Destiny' held under 'Aman Ki Asha' on Friday said people to people contacts would change prevailing misconceptions and result in good ties between India and Pakistan.

The participants said the contacts should be more frequent between the people of the two countries to achieve most needed peace and better relations. They termed the "Aman Ki Asha", a joint initiative of the Jang Group of Pakistan and the Times of India, a step in the right direction and called for involving in it leadership of both the countries.

Talking to The News, after the discussion held at a local hotel, Ammara Ishfaq, a student of the Punjab University, said the efforts to achieve peace between both the nuclear powers should continue. "This move should not be limited and time barred and such efforts are certainly going to resolve conflicts between both the countries,' Ammara said.

Another PU student Nida Arif also expressed similar views saying "Aman Ki Asha" was a good initiative, which was creating awareness among the masses of both the countries about importance of good relations and living in peace. "However, there is a need of more interaction between people of the two countries", she added.

A participant, Arslan, was of the view that besides more mutual trade opportunities and public visits, universities and educational institutions should initiate joint research projects. He said people of both the countries were facing almost similar problems and any joint venture to confront the problems would bring both the countries more closer.

He also stressed the need of exchange of delegation at all levels, saying that peace in the region was for benefit of the people of both the countries. Safdar Ali, a student of the University of Education, said Indian and Pakistani governments should make sincere efforts to accept each other, adding that "There is little chance of achieving peace and good relations unless governments are not involved in peace efforts." He said civil society must come forward to play its role in achieving peace.

Another student Irfan Haider lauded "Aman Ki Asha" and said it was a step in the right direction. He said there was certainly a dire need of removing biases between people of both the countries and this could be achieved by brining public closer. "The media should also take steps to increase interaction between the people", he said, adding that "The leaders of the both the countries should also be part of all these efforts."

Another participant, Faisal, said the peace dream could be turned into reality only if sincere efforts were made in this connection. "A long lasting friendship, which ensures peace, is in fact the demand of people on both the sides", he added.

A seven-member delegation from India, including journalists, writers, retired admirals and a former top diplomat, is currently visiting Pakistan to participate in the 'Aman Ki Asha' series of discussions "A Common Destiny".

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