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Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Lahore witnesses gathering of peace activists
LAHORE: Lahore witnessed a significant gathering of peace activists as the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), alongside over a dozen civil society organizations and left parties, organized a seminar titled 'Make Peace the New Normal.' The event emphasized the urgent need to prioritize peace over war, which could be instigated by a handful of terrorists and agent provocateurs. Hundreds of activists voiced their opposition to escalating tensions and called for a permanent ceasefire, urging the resumption of comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan. Speakers at the seminar appealed to both governments to exercise maximum restraint and adopt confidence-building measures to de-escalate the current situation. They also warned against the potential resurgence of a far more dangerous conflict in a region where both nations possess nuclear capabilities. A resolution passed during the event demanded the restoration of full-fledged diplomatic relations, the opening of borders, the revival of people-to-people contacts, and the resumption of trade between the two countries. The resolution also stressed the importance of engaging in a result-oriented dialogue to address longstanding disputes. Additionally, it highlighted the grave risks of a nuclear confrontation and called upon India and Pakistan to negotiate a nuclear stabilization agreement. Among the proposals was the transformation of the Wagah-Attari border into a 'peace park' as a symbolic gesture of harmony. The participants further emphasized the need to strengthen regional unity through platforms such as the Asia-Pacific alliance, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and BRICS. They also advocated for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and progress toward establishing a South Asia Economic Union. Prominent figures who addressed the seminar included Imtiaz Alam of SAFMA, Dr. Waseem from LUMS, Farooq Tariq of HKP, Tehseen from PIPFPD, Ms. Sabina Malik, and others. Following the seminar, around 200 peace activists travelled in a caravan to the Wagah border, where they held a candlelight vigil. The participants lit candles at the border post, chanting slogans against both hot and cold wars; while advocating for lasting peace in the subcontinent. They waved national flags and paid tribute to the martyrs of the freedom struggle. The poignant vigil continued until 1 a.m., creating a memorable display of solidarity. However, Indian authorities did not permit peace activists from India to join the gathering at the Attari border post. Instead, Indian demonstrators lit candles in front of Jallianwala Bagh in a parallel show of support for peace. The event underscored the growing public demand for reconciliation and dialogue, reflecting a collective aspiration to replace hostility with lasting peace in South Asia. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan and India: Restoring diplomatic ties emphasised
LAHORE: The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) organized a seminar titled " Make Peace: New Normal " on Thursday to commemorate Independence Day at the SAFMA Auditorium. Noted journalist and human rights activist Hussain Naqi, President of the Haqooq Khalq Party and general secretary of the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee Farooq Tariq, Executive Director South Asia Partnership Muhammad Tehseen expressed their views on this occasion. SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam stressed the importance of restoring diplomatic relations between Pakistan and India, highlighting that peace between the two nations will bring prosperity to the region. Marking Pakistan's Independence Day, South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) Secretary General Imtiaz Alam issued a stark warning and a passionate plea for peace to the leadership of Pakistan and India, emphasizing the critical need to move beyond recent hostilities. Alam stated that Pakistan and India must immediately cease all hostile rhetoric and provocative actions, replacing threats with tangible gestures of de-escalation. He stressed that the leaders of both nuclear-armed nations have an urgent responsibility to resume comprehensive, uninterrupted, and unconditional dialogue addressing all disputes between them solely through peaceful diplomatic means. Highlighting the extreme danger posed by the absence of robust safeguards, Alam declared that without delay, both countries should negotiate and implement verifiable nuclear and missile risk reduction measures. He specified that these essential steps should include reliable hotlines, advance notification protocols for missile tests, and sustained confidence-building dialogues specifically designed to prevent accidental or unauthorized escalation. Furthermore, Alam emphasized that both nations must fundamentally understand that true strength lies in development, not destruction. He called for lifting barriers to trade, actively facilitating people-to-people contact, and fostering collaboration on shared existential challenges like climate change, water security, and poverty alleviation. Alam concluded this point by asserting that unleashing the combined economic potential of South Asia is the only viable path to lifting millions out of deprivation. "The colossal resources consumed by perpetual military readiness represent a theft from our people," Alam stated, underscoring the immense opportunity cost of the enduring conflict. "Choosing peace is not weakness; it is the only strategy that offers prosperity and security for the hundreds of millions suffering from poverty in both nations." Renowned academician Dr. Waseem emphasized the need to reduce tension between Pakistan and India, advocating for increased people-to-people contact to foster peace and prosperity in the subcontinent. He noted that Indian policies have historically been driven by religion and anti-Pakistan sentiments, while Pakistani policies have been anti-India. In a symbolic gesture, SAFMA organized a candle vigil at the Wagah border crossing on Thursday night, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives fighting for independence from British rule and promoting regional peace. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
