LAHORE, Dec 24: A soul-searching discussion on the current situation obtaining in the subcontinent charged with the aggressive posture against Pakistan by India and its continued repressive policy in the occupied Kashmir was held under the aegis of the Pakistan National Forum here on Monday.

The participants unanimously emphasized the need for creating a national unity in the country and motivating the people to strictly follow in the foot-steps the Quaid-i-Azam.

Speakers at the discussion, which was presided over by a former Punjab governor Shahid Hamid, dwelt at historical facts to illustrate the Quaid’s profound interest in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the future of its people. The Quaid, they said, had always stood by the Kashmiri people and wanted the state to be a part of Pakistan.

Those who spoke on the occasion included provincial minister Brig Hamid Saeed Akhtar (retired), Lahore district Nazim Mian Aamer Mahmood, Gen Hakim Arshad (retired), Gen Rahat Latif (retired), Prof Hasan Askari Rizvi, an old Muslim League leader S. M. Bashir, Col Amjad Husain (retired), KAC president Dr Maj Muzaffar Shah, Mian Muhammad Usman, journalist Mujibur Rehman Shami and PNF’s Col Ikramullah (retired).

Some of the participants said there was no possibility of India and Pakistan going into war. The threatening tone of Indian leaders, they added, was nothing but an effort to create a war hysteria and pressurize the US for its own ends.

Brig Saeed was of the view that if India went to war within three months in Kashmir, it would be its folly and if it did so on the international border, it would internationalize the Kashmir issue. There would be no war between India and Pakistan, he personally thought.

Mian Aamer, as also other speakers, wanted the people of Pakistan to emulate the teachings of the father of the nation and prepare themselves to meet any challenge whatsoever. They called for strengthening national unity to safeguard and protect country’s solidarity and security at all cost.

Gen Hakim said the people should adhere to the principles laid down by the Quaid and added that these were not be compromised on in any case. He regretted that there had been a lack of national solidarity.

Gen Rahat said there had been a vacuum of leadership in the country since the removal of Khwaja Nazimuddin government. Mian Usman, Mr Shami, Prof Rizvi and Mr Bashir also called for a national soul searching with a view to meeting the challenges the country at present was faced with.

In his presidential remarks, former governor Hamid stressed the need for the rule of law and justice which was very dear to the Quaid.

The Quaid, he said, was a man of principles and incorruptible in every sense of the word.