Srinagar: A group of prominent citizens from India and Pakistan has jointly appealed to Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif to initiate meaningful steps towards restoring peace, dialogue and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries, describing sustained engagement as the only viable path to regional stability and prosperity.
In an open letter dated June 30, the signatories urged both governments to adopt a series of confidence-building measures aimed at reducing tensions and rebuilding diplomatic, economic and people-to-people ties across South Asia. The appeal states that India and Pakistan together are home to nearly one-fifth of humanity and that continued hostility deprives millions, particularly the youth, of opportunities, prosperity and a secure future.
The signatories called for the restoration of full diplomatic relations, reinstatement of High Commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad, resumption of normal visa services and reopening of comprehensive bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues, including discussions on Jammu and Kashmir. They also advocated addressing the legitimate security concerns of both countries through sustained engagement.
The appeal further seeks the restoration of trade and commercial relations, reopening of the Attari-Wagah land border for trade and travel, revival of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Delhi-Lahore bus services, restarting of the Samjhauta Express and Thar Express train services, reopening of the Kargil-Skardu route and restoration of commercial air connectivity between the two countries.
Among other recommendations, the letter urges reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, facilitating access to Sharada Peeth in the Neelam Valley, encouraging religious and cultural exchanges, easing travel restrictions for divided families, students, journalists, artists and businesspersons, and lifting restrictions on media organisations and digital platforms to promote professional exchanges between journalists of both countries.
The document emphasises that the appeal is not an endorsement of any political position but a call to prioritise peace, dialogue and cooperation over conflict and confrontation. It says the future of South Asia should be shaped by engagement and shared prosperity rather than prolonged hostility.
The initiative has been spearheaded by OP Shah, Chairman of the Centre for Peace and Progress, and has been endorsed by more than 100 eminent personalities from both India and Pakistan. Indian signatories include Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mehbooba Mufti, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Prof. Manoj Jha, A.S. Dulat, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Prof. Saifuddin Soz and several other public figures. The Pakistani signatories include former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Farhatullah Babar, Beena Sarwar and several other academics, journalists, diplomats and civil society members. [KNT]
