Over 100 prominent personalities from India and Pakistan, including former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif to take meaningful and sustained steps towards restoring peace and reviving bilateral dialogue between the two neighbours.
The initiative of the joint letter, addressed to the Prime Ministers of both the nations, was spearheaded by OP Shah, who is chairman of the Centre for Peace and Progress.
The open letter, signed by Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, former RAW chief AS Dulat, Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Manoj Jha, former diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, former Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri besides several retired diplomats and civil society members asked the two governments to take “meaningful and sustained steps towards restoring peace, normalcy, dialogue and cooperation in South Asia”.
Calling for an end to continued hostility, the letter seeks restoration of full diplomatic relations and reinstatement of High Commissioners in New Delhi and Islamabad. In addition to this, the joint letter also mentioned the resumption of normal visa services for citizens of both countries.
“Resume discussions on Jammu and Kashmir, including revisiting the framework negotiated between 2004 and 2007. Take steps towards demilitarisation and de-escalation to create lasting peace in the region. Address legitimate security concerns of both countries,” read the letter.
Letter Signed By 61 Indians, 56 Pakistanis
The joint letter, dated June 30, was signed by 61 Indians and 56 Pakistanis, stressed that “sustained engagement and dialogue remain the only viable path to resolving differences”. The signatories called for the restoration of full diplomatic relations, reinstatement of high commissioners, resumption of normal visa services and reopening of a comprehensive bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues.
Additionally, the citizens belonging to both countries sought the reopening of trade channels, the restoration of normal commercial relations, the revival of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status or equivalent non-discriminatory trade arrangement and the reopening of the Attari-Wagah land border.
“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 stated.
Additionally, the 56 signatories from Pakistan’s side included political figures such as former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, diplomat Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, National Assembly member Isphanyar Bhandara, as well as nuclear physicist and author Pervez Hoodbhoy.