British Pakistani and Indian community urged to play leading role in the ‘No War Pact drive’ Kasuri

LONDON, May 18 (APP)- British Pakistani and Indian community has been urged to play leading role in the ‘No War Pact’ drive between two nuclear-armed neighbours for lasting peace in the South Asian region.“This pact will not only help in normalising the diplomatic relationship but also gradually change the animosity lens both countries have stuck to since independence. “These thoughts were expressed by Mr. Toaha Qureshi, Chairman, UK-based Forum for International Relations Development (FIRD) in a meeting with ex-Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri. Mr. Qureshi has been visiting Pakistan with FIRD’s Director Strategy Mr. Arif Anis Malik for exploring ways to launch a massive drive to strike the proposed pact between India and Pakistan, said a media release of the organisation Wednesday.
According to Mr. Qureshi, South Asia has become a global flash point due to long standing hostility between India and Pakistan. Any negative event could trigger a conventional or a nuclear war which may threaten millions of lives.

He was of the view that the British Pakistani and Indian communities should play their vital role in bringing their respective governments to the table to ink a ‘50 Years No War Pact’.

In response Mr. Kasuri said: “It would be advisable for FIRD to launch its No War Pact drive, peace building, and trade enhancing endeavours for Pakistan-Indian from London as it would prove to be a neutral ground.”

Mr. Kasuri urged that those people be taken on board who would commit themselves to the cause regardless of their respective party politics. The role of media being crucial should be included in the dialogue process.

Mr. Kasuri observed that it would be infeasible to hold such a discourse in Pakistan in the current circumstances and for this matter UK could offer an alternative location as it houses hundreds and thousands immigrants from Indian and Pakistani origin who have been living amicably in the UK.
Hence a trilateral nexus of UK, Pakistani, and Indian Ulema, political parties, trade groups could come to table and deliberate upon issues of mutual interest and understand each other’s stance first hand without prejudice and hindrances.

However, for sustainable peace and the process of normalization a mass movement is essential for tangible results. On both sides of the border people need to understand the need for sustained peace. However, this entire drive should be led with a realist’s perspective. Mr. Kasuri added.

On No War Pact, Mr. Kasuri suggested to adopt the channel of normalization and for that matter SAARC and SAFTA ought to be made functionally useful.

Mr. Kasuri pointed out opening of borders and increment in trade is necessary and vital, however FIRD should treat softly as their endeavour could easily be mistaken for that of an Indian manoeuvre to flood Pakistan with its products.