Indian delegation in Lahore to pursue peace
Two ex-admirals, ex-foreign secretary, writers and media persons to share 'A Common Destiny' with Pakistanis
By Shahab Ansari
LAHORE: A seven-member high profile Indian delegation, comprising media persons, writers, retired admirals and a former top diplomat, arrived here to participate in the Aman Ki Asha series of discussions - "A Common Destiny."
This unique initiative of the 'Jang Group' and the 'Times of India' brings together people who are leaders in their respective fields. Former Indian foreign secretary Salman Haider, Prem Shankar Jha, Amitabh Mattoo, Admiral Ramu Ramdas (retd) are other members of the delegation.
Talking to The News after their arrival, Admiral Nayyar, who spent his childhood in Lahore, described his journey to Lahore "going from one home to another." He said: "We have become prisoners of our history and the challenge for us now is to get out of this prisoner mindset to struggle for peace."
He said he had been pursuing 'Aman Ki Asha' for the last 21 years. He believed that the present initiative would help realise the dream of Peace. However, he added, "There are two major challenges: first, to realize our own mistakes, and, second, to come out of the shadows of the prisoner mindset, a legacy of our history," he said.
He termed Gen Asad Durrani (retd) his 'peace-brother' as he too was working for peace. Adm Nayyar said that as far as Pakistani president and prime minister were concerned, there was not even an iota of doubt about their sincerity for a lasting peace.
Emphasizing the importance of patience and perseverance, he said the peace process was time-consuming. He said meetings like this would certainly bear fruit. He said, "No one knows the horrors and cost of war better than a soldier and its same for the soldiers of both the sides."
Gen Durrani, the moderator of the entire series of the Aman Ki Asha initiative, termed it a search for peace, naming the whole process as "Let's Talk" (Ao Baat Kurain).
From Pakistan, delegates include Aitzaz Ahsan, Dr. Mubashir Hasan, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, I.A. Rehman, Sherry Rehman, Arif Nizami, Shafqat Mahmood. Some of the delegates will be available for question sessions on the 23rd of April between 10:30 am and 1:00 pm.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
By Shahab Ansari
LAHORE: A seven-member high profile Indian delegation, comprising media persons, writers, retired admirals and a former top diplomat, arrived here to participate in the Aman Ki Asha series of discussions - "A Common Destiny."
This unique initiative of the 'Jang Group' and the 'Times of India' brings together people who are leaders in their respective fields. Former Indian foreign secretary Salman Haider, Prem Shankar Jha, Amitabh Mattoo, Admiral Ramu Ramdas (retd) are other members of the delegation.
Talking to The News after their arrival, Admiral Nayyar, who spent his childhood in Lahore, described his journey to Lahore "going from one home to another." He said: "We have become prisoners of our history and the challenge for us now is to get out of this prisoner mindset to struggle for peace."
He said he had been pursuing 'Aman Ki Asha' for the last 21 years. He believed that the present initiative would help realise the dream of Peace. However, he added, "There are two major challenges: first, to realize our own mistakes, and, second, to come out of the shadows of the prisoner mindset, a legacy of our history," he said.
He termed Gen Asad Durrani (retd) his 'peace-brother' as he too was working for peace. Adm Nayyar said that as far as Pakistani president and prime minister were concerned, there was not even an iota of doubt about their sincerity for a lasting peace.
Emphasizing the importance of patience and perseverance, he said the peace process was time-consuming. He said meetings like this would certainly bear fruit. He said, "No one knows the horrors and cost of war better than a soldier and its same for the soldiers of both the sides."
Gen Durrani, the moderator of the entire series of the Aman Ki Asha initiative, termed it a search for peace, naming the whole process as "Let's Talk" (Ao Baat Kurain).
From Pakistan, delegates include Aitzaz Ahsan, Dr. Mubashir Hasan, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, I.A. Rehman, Sherry Rehman, Arif Nizami, Shafqat Mahmood. Some of the delegates will be available for question sessions on the 23rd of April between 10:30 am and 1:00 pm.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Rotary Int'l, Jang Group to help with heart surgeries of 382 children
NAWABSHAH: Lt Gen (retd) Syed Pervez Shahid has said that under the 'Aman Ki Asha' programme, the Rotary International, in cooperation with the Jang Group of Newspapers a
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NAWABSHAH: Lt Gen (retd) Syed Pervez Shahid has said that under the 'Aman Ki Asha' programme, the Rotary International, in cooperation with the Jang Group of Newspapers a
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Freed Indian prisoners have warm memories of time in Pakistan jail
Half an hour after the retreat ceremony at the Wagah-Attari junction, the two gates on either side of a thin white line that forms the border between India and Pakistan w
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Half an hour after the retreat ceremony at the Wagah-Attari junction, the two gates on either side of a thin white line that forms the border between India and Pakistan w
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Fishermen's release: Setting the record straight
Senator (R) Iqbal Haider,
Senior Advocate Supreme Court
With reference to Beena Sarwar's article last week about the release of Indian prisoners, I hope you .....more
Senator (R) Iqbal Haider, Senior Advocate Supreme Court
With reference to Beena Sarwar's article last week about the release of Indian prisoners, I hope you .....more
BRIEFS
The dreams of three Pakistani children came true recently when Aman ki Asha in collaboration with Make-A-Wish Foundation Pakis .....more
Making dreams come true
The dreams of three Pakistani children came true recently when Aman ki Asha in collaboration with Make-A-Wish Foundation Pakis .....more
Crossing the red line
By Waqar Gillani
In twenty-five minutes, the .....more
Over 300 young students of Lahore's schools join hands to promote friendship between Pakistan and India
By Waqar Gillani
In twenty-five minutes, the .....more
Looking a New Year gift horse in the mouth
Pakistan's release of 183 Indian prisoners on Jan 7, 2012 is a welcome step but it also highlights the ongoing issues faced by cross-border prisoners
By .....more
Pakistan's release of 183 Indian prisoners on Jan 7, 2012 is a welcome step but it also highlights the ongoing issues faced by cross-border prisonersBy .....more
Page 72 of 174
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The News on Sunday Special Report: India Pakistan prisoners
We probably didn't need to do this Special Report. Newspaper stories don't matter when it comes to Indians in Pakistani jails and vice versa. In fact, 'vice versa' sums it up. We do to them what they do to us.
Except when the two countries decide to begin talking, yet again! This time a little before the foreign secretary level talks, some Pakistani prisoners were released by India (and vice versa must have happened) and some more were release....read more
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For the past 2 years the Jang Group and Geo have been working on a project of great national interest; one that we hope will help usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the country and indeed, in the region. And one that hopefully all Pakistanis can be proud of.
The Jang Group has entered into an agreement with the Times of India Group, the largest media group of India, to campaign for peace betw
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