People speak

Mohammed Amir, 35, banker:
"There has to be peace between India and Pakistan as there's no point in fighting anymore."

Roshan Ara, 65, housewife:
"I visit India every year and not once have I faced any discrimination. People are respectful and nice to you even if you don't know them."

Sumaira Khalid, 25, student:
"Even after living side by side for so many years we cannot visit India, which is sad, as we have so much to offer each other, through literature, arts and culture."

Sumaira's husband, 31, banker:
"It is high time we forget our skirmishes and move forward with the peace process."

Abrar Aslam, 42, shopkeeper:
"I am not against peace, but in our excitement to initiate peace, we should not lose our prestige as a nation, and the initiative should be on an equal level."

Amanullah Khan, 70s:
"If I close my eyes right now I can visualise the markets of Nanitaal where I spent my entire childhood, playing marbles in the narrow streets with my brothers. I dream that I can someday take my children and grandchildren and show them our mohallah".

Noman Raheem, 12, student:
"By not taking our cricket team in the Indian Premiere League (IPL) they have proved that they are not as serious about it as we are."

Saud Nomani, 75, retired banker:
"If the media hadn't taken an initiative, the government would have never done that (started talks) in ages."

Mohammad Saqib, teenager:
"We love their movie stars. All my family members keep track of the Indian film industry. Similarly our music industry has a lot of listeners in India, which means no matter how much we deny we are connected. It's just about giving it a name."

Adeel Azhar, 28, radio jockey, Apna Karachi 107:
"The peace initiative is incomplete if it is not on the basis of equality. The respect that we are giving should be reciprocated as well."

Muzzamil Ibrahim, 27, MBA student:
"For the past three years, our self esteem, as a nation, has taken a beating because of our situation. We have no choice but to initiate peace, and start afresh."

Imran Ali, 18, student:
"Peace is possible, but pros and cons of getting into a partnership of any sort, with India, should be considered beforehand."

Sahar Hassan, 26, teacher:
"Our media has done what our government could not do in so many years. I'm all for peace with India."

Ruhma Masroor, 28, housewife:
"Peace is possible if we forget the past and look forward with hope and positivity, rather than grumbling about injustices."

Summaiya Rehman, 31, housewife:
"We don't want peace with India. I cannot forget what our people have suffered because of them."

Mohammad Masud, in his 60's, holding his granddaughter:
"It is only the media that can bring a change. The people don't hate each other. But policy makers don't listen to the people and media is what connects the two."

Mustansar Hussain, 76:
"I want to see peace with India in my lifetime. This whole thing about war and hatred has been blown out of proportion. It is now time to enjoy our commonalities as well as differences."

Farrukh Quyyum, 15, student:
"Peace with India is possible if they accept us the way we are. We are not going to bend over backwards for them if they cannot do the same."

Mehmud Ali, early seventies:
"We have a lot of differences with the India, and instead of forgetting the differences we should celebrate them. I think Aman ki Aasha is a perfect platform for it "

Sabeen Ali, 8, student:
"I would love to visit India. It is my dream."

- Saher Baloch and Rafey Mahmood