New Delhi: Amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, around 100 prominent citizens have issued an ‘Open Letter’ for both prime ministers urging
an end to hostilities and the restoration of peace, dialogue and cooperation.
They also urged both PMs to resume normal visa services for citizens of both nations. This open letter was issued by ‘Centre for Peace and Progress ’ and signed by 117 signatories. Among those who signed the letter were political figures from both countries. The signatories made suggestions ranging from immediate diplomatic measures to the resumption of dialogue and reconnection of people-to-people contact, among others.
Dr Farooq Abdullah, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq among signatories
Among those who signed the letter were National Conference supremo Dr Farooq Abdullah, separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, RJD MP Manoj Jha, and former TMC minister and current AJUP leader Humayun Kabir were on the list of 61 signatories er from India. From Pakistan, well-known figures like former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, and National Assembly member Isphanyar Bhandara signed the letter.
“India and Pakistan together are home to nearly one-fifth of humanity. A large proportion of our population is young…The people of both countries deserve a future defined by peace, development, connectivity and cooperation, rather than perpetual mistrust and confrontation,” the letter said.
It added, “Decades of estrangement have hindered our collective potential and imposed high social, economic and human costs. We believe that sustained engagement and dialogue remain the only viable path to resolving differences and building a stable and prosperous region.”
Letter urges both PMs to focus on confidence-building measures
The group also urged the PMs of both countries to consider various confidence-building measures and reinstate High Commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad. They also urged restarting bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues, like discussions on Jammu and Kashmir, demilitarisation, and de-escalation for peace in the region.
