— Aaghaz-e-Dosti asks policy makers to take positive steps
LAHORE: In the background of an increase in ceasefire violations on both sides of the Line of Control, the Aaghaz-e-Dosti (AeD) has appealed to the governments of Pakistan and India to establish a mechanism to stop the violations and killings in the disputed Kashmiri state.
“We believe being a cross-border friendship initiative that our appeal for a complete ceasefire in Jammu Kashmir reflects desires of thousands of people who wish to have peace and tranquillity in our region,” the organisation said in a statement issued on Saturday.
The statement pointed out that a large number of people, especially young generations, were involved in contributing efforts for a peaceful future through the Aaghaz-e-Dosti.
“We believe that differences and disputes between the countries should not take violent turn and should be resolved mutually through dialogues and other ways of diplomacy without claiming lives of civilians as well as soldiers,” the statement said.
“We are concerned over the forced migration of Kashmiri people on both sides of the divided Kashmiri state due to shelling,” the statement said. “We observe that both sides claim as ceasefire violation but it seems that no one is taking a break,” the statement added.
In Pakistan, approximately 60 per cent of the population is under 30 years of age while 41 per cent population is under 20 years of age in India, according to recent reports. The data shows that how efficiently both the countries need to revive their priorities towards mutual peace and focused development.
“Even coming together for development and to provide access to their population for larger benefits through trade, travel, educational and healthcare partnerships can generate ample opportunities.
“We believe that the governments and policymakers on both the sides have potential to take positive steps like they did in the past,” the statement said. “We observe that the coordination and desire for peace on both the sides was a key that has brought ceasefire agreement in 2003,” the statement pointed out.
“We appeal both the sides to find out ways to resolve their conflicts and take concrete steps to stop violation,” it said. In the current scenario, both the governments have opportunity to take steps for peace that would be remembered by millions of people and would create history.
