LAHORE, Feb 6: Groups of Indian parliamentarians and writers and poets will visit Pakistan next month.

This was announced at a press conference that marked the reactivation of People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy (PFPD) for resolving disputes between India and Pakistan.

The chairman of the Forum, Human Rights Commission Pakistan director I. A. Rehman, claimed that there would soon be a new framework of international relations for West and South Asia. There would be radical changes in the region in the wake of a US invasion of Iraq, he predicted.

He said it was imperative for the governments of Pakistan and India to work in collaboration with the people. Politicians, academia, labour force, women, lawyers and the civil society in general should be consulted and given weightage in decision-making. The immediate task before both the governments was to remove restrictions on travel between the two countries and open road, rail and air communications. Pakistan should take some unilateral steps as a goodwill gesture in view of the urgency of the situation, he maintained.

Dr Mubashir Hassan, who had just returned from a week-long visit to India, explained that he had gone to India to make arrangements for conventions, conferences and workshops for peace and exchange of peace delegations of leaders, lawyers, women, journalists and students.

A beginning, he claimed, would be made by Indian delegates next month. Several eminent Indian leaders had shown willingness to visit Pakistan in Spring and Summer, he added.

On the Pakistani side, Malik Miraj Khalid will lead a delegation to India. He will be followed by Hanif Ramay. Delegations of MNAs and MPAs will also visit India.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ramay stressed the need for opening communications between the two countries and allowing exchange of newspapers and journals.