Indians, Pakistanis light peace candles at border

Journalists, political leaders and peace activists from Pakistan and India assembled at the Wagha-Attari border on August 14-15 midnight to pay homage to the martyrs of the freedom movement, lit candles in their memory and vowed to promote peace. Journalists, political leaders and peace activists from Pakistan and India assembled at the Wagha-Attari border on August 14-15 midnight to pay homage to the martyrs of the freedom movement, lit candles in their memory and vowed to promote peace and friendship between the two countries.  South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), in collaboration with the Hind-Pak Dosti Manch, organized the candle vigil to express the aspirations of the people of Pakistan and India for good relations between the two neighbouring countries. The annual ritual is carried out to mark Pakistan’s creation day (August 14) and India’s Independence Day (August 15).  Hundreds of people on both sides of the international border shouted for peace lending their voice to the demand for friendship. In a unique show of solidarity and friendship, they exchanged flowers, bouquets and candles across the zero line of the border raising slogans, “Shuhadai Azadi ko Salam” [Tributes to the martyrs of freedom movement], “Lay kay di azadi, Quaid-i-Azam tera ehsan” [We are indebted to Quaid-e-Azam for Independence], "Long live India-Pakistan dosti [friendship], “Jang nahin Amn, dehshat nahin baat cheet” [Peace not War, Talks not Terror]."  Addressing peacenicks on the Wagha [Pakistan] side of the border, SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam called on the governments of Pakistan and India for establishing a peace park on the zero line in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for freedom from the colonial rule.  He appealed to Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to relax the visa regime for free movement of people, especially journalists, peace activists, artists, writers, doctors, lawyers and other professionals, across border.  SAFMA India General Secretary Satish Jacob, who is leading a 27-member contingent from India comprising journalists and peace activists, showed solidarity with the people of Pakistan and assured them that SAFMA’s India Chapter would make best efforts for a peaceful subcontinent.  On the Attari [Indian] side of the border, people from all walks of life, led by SAFMA India joint secretary Satnam Singh Manak and Hind-Pak Dosti Manch leader Ramesh Yadav raised slogans paying tributes to the freedom martyrs and condemning elements that wanted to scuttle the peace process.  They said they were trying to strengthen people-to-people relations and endorsed the SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam’s demand for a peace park at the Wagha-Attari border.  Leading journalists, civil society members and politicians including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Member of National Assembly Tehmina Daultana, Pakistan Peoples Party member of the Punjab Assembly, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Jinnah took part in the vigil from the Attari side. Former law minister S M Masood, PML-N leader Pervez Malik, veteran columnist Munnoo Bhai and human rights campaigner I A Rehman, Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leader Riaz Durrani and Pakistan Ulema Council’s Chairman Allama Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi were prominent among those participated in the event from the Wagha side of the border.  Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop featured in the event with their puppets that amused the people.