KARACHI, Jan. 3: Political leaders and defence experts on Thursday categorically ruled out the possibility of war between India and Pakistan, the two nuclear powers, but said war hysteria has caused unrest and mental agony among masses of both the countries.

They said people of both states have suffered a lot due to war threat especially in Pakistan where people were optimist on improvement of economy after lifting of sanctions.

They were speaking at a seminar on “India-Pakistan tension: how real is the possibility of military conflict” organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation in Karachi.

They cautioned that any conflict in South Asia can harm interests of world powers after formation of international coalition against terrorism in which Pakistan played a vital role.

Major-General Ghulam Umer, defence analyst and former Chairman, Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, held India responsible for prevailing tension and maintained that after heavy military build-up of its troops on Pakistan’s border, it had created problems for itself.

He expressed disappointment on US role in reducing tension and said Washington never asked Delhi to give up aggressive attitude towards Islamabad, which was playing front-line state role in war against terrorism.

He said the whole nation is united to reply India. The present situation is totally different from that prevailing in 1965 and 1971 wars. He refereed to words of a scholar that “a prosperous dynamic Pakistan is good for India” but said “India never accepted Pakistan since its creation.” He felt UN can play a positive role in reducing tension between the two countries.

Dr Manzooruddin Ahmed, former vice-chancellor Karachi University, said Indian foreign policy states “attack on enemy when it is internally weak. However, we are united and internally strong so India would never dare attacking Pakistan”.

He said at present world powers can ill-afford war in South Asia as Pakistan armed forces were a playing significant role on Pak-Afghan border. “Movement of these troops to Indian border can harm US interests in Afghanistan”.

He underlined the need for internal stability to counter Indian designs and felt democratic institutions be made strong.

He expressed apprehension that any irresponsible act by India on the borders may lead to a sudden war.

Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, Naib Amir Jamaat-i-Islami, expressed surprise on Indian Prime Minister’s statement to create situation for Pakistan which Afghanistan is facing.

He said India never reconciled to the creation of Pakistan, which always wanted better relations with it.

He urged the UN to distinguish between terrorism and freedom-fighters. “India should also be forced to implement the UN resolution on Kashmir,” he added.

PPP leader N. D Khan criticized role of Indian media for projecting war hysteria.

He termed Indian war threat as political issue and linked it with upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh in February. BJP government wants to translate political objectives into war threats.

He said India would try to increase tension till end of January and situation will edge off in March after UP election.

Earlier, senior journalist Fazal Qureshi highlighted sensitivity of the situation and lauded the efforts made by Pakistan to deal with the situation sensibly.

Moonis Ahmed, Assistant Professor, International Relations Department University of Karachi, said tension between India and Pakistan would not lead to military conflict.—PPI