M A I L B A G

We want peace between India and Pakistan

Apropos of Mr H.K. Dua’s front-page editorial “Ferrying peace” (Oct 24), he proudly states The Tribune has watched the Indo-Pak scene for over “50 years”. I appreciate this because he associates The Tribune with us all in Punjab who inevitably become the pawns in the game of these two powers. We want peace between India and Pakistan. Both are deadly armed nuclear powers. We want both these inimical enemies to destroy these weapons of mass destruction.

Though we appreciate the decision of the Union Cabinet Committee on Security calling for peace and spelling out the initiatives, we fail to understand why the opening up on Wagah in Amritsar district and Hussainiwala in Ferozepore district border posts for trade, commerce, tourism and pilgrimage has not been spelled out, though our party, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), has held big rallies at these posts, seeking these facilities. The Centre pays very little attention to what we Sikhs living between these two countries have to say. This is particularly so since we see the declining role of Sikhs in the decision-making-process in the Union Government. There is no Sikh and Muslim representation in the CCS.

With my knowledge of Indo-Pakistan relations, I do not think that any responsible Pakistani will say that India has taken this peace initiative out of weakness or that the Pakistanis have bled the Indians into taking this decision. As Mr Dua wisely says, there are hardliners on both sides. When countries move towards peace, hardliners are always sidelined because the pressure of the people is so great that hardliners are left with a marginal constituency.

SIMRANJIT SINGH MANN, Member of Parliament and President, Shiromani Akali Dal  (Amritsar), New Delhi

II

All our initiatives in the past to normalise relations with Pakistan have been futile. The Pakistani intentions on Kashmir have wider ramifications, which can hardly be pacified by starting bus routes from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad and from Khokhrapar in Rajasthan to Munabao in Sind in Pakistan. Nor have the visits of politicians, journalists, filmstars and students from both sides of the divide recently served any great purpose to ease the tension.

There is a ray of hope in the forthcoming talks between the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani. Living in India, the Hurriyat leaders should be rational in their pronouncements and stop talking about trilateral talks with Pakistan as one of the parties. Kashmiri's interests can be better served by India than any other country including Pakistan.

IQBAL SINGH, Kothuwan (HP)

III

Removing distrust on both sides of the divide is very important. After all, it is the common people who are suffering because of the tension. If not in one go, let has have confidence building measures step by step. No negative impact statements. And gradually people’s emotions and sentiments may force their leaders to shed hatred and make a new beginning to end the sufferings of the people of both countries.

GURDERSHAN SINGH, Chandigarh