LAHORE, Jan 12: The Asia-Pacific regional organization of International Confederation of Free Trade Unions has expressed grave concern over the tension between India and Pakistan and called for peace and normalcy.

The ICFTU-APRO general secretary Noriyuki Suzuki told a news conference here on Saturday that the aggravating situation could result in a catastrophe. Mr Suzuki said: “We in the labour movement firmly stand for peace, security and harmony across the globe and more so at this juncture between Pakistan and India.” He urged both the countries to take immediate steps to ease the tension and withdraw the hundreds of thousands of troops from the borders.

As people and leadership of both countries were aware, he said, there was need to pay more attention to the real security threats confronting the two nations, namely poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and social exclusion.

“We urge governments of both the countries to initiate a process of meaningful dialogue at the earliest to address the areas of mutual conflict instead of deploying their troops on the borders,” he added.

He appreciated the role of the people and the government of Pakistan in joining the global coalition against terrorism and for accommodating millions of Afghan refugees.

Mr Suzuki also drew the attention of the Pakistan government to the need for bringing legislation in conformity with the ILO conventions ratified by it and restoring the trade union rights to the workers in the Pakistan International Airlines, the postal services, banks, the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation and the Export Processing Zones at the earliest. Also present at the news conference were Pakistan Workers’ Confederation leaders including its central secretary-general Khurshid Ahmad.