Pakistan and India urged to expedite peace process
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 29: The Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) has welcomed the stance taken by President Pervez Musharraf on Kashmir. In a joint statement, secretaries-general of the two chapters
, Tapan K. Bose and Ms Anis Haroon on Friday supported the idea of opening a debate on exploring all possible new options to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
They pointed out that proposal on demilitarization of Kashmir had been a demand of all Kashmiris as well as peace groups on both sides of the LoC. "We believe that this single step will provide plenty of opportunities towards the normalization of relations between the two countries.
But more importantly, it will offer the much needed space to civil society in India, Pakistan and Kashmir in which all sections will be able to rethink and find news ways of looking at the future of Kashmir," the PIPFPD maintained its statement.
The PIPFPD reiterated its position on Kashmir and demanded the people of the former state be free to cross the line of control on the basis of permits issued by local authorities without the requirement of passport on visa.
The crossings at Baramula, Kotli, Poonch be opened up and new crossing be created across the Neelam river. Trade and goods traffic be freely allowed across the Line of Control.
It also demanded that all prisoners held without charge be released; general amnesty be declared for all those in detention under special laws, civil or military detention laws or without trial, the judicial process provided in the laws be provided for all other Kashmiris who are in custody in Kashmir, India or Pakistan.
It also demanded that tribunals to investigate missing persons be set up; innocent persons who have suffered on account of action of the state be compensated; and further action under laws, which permit detention and trail without recourse to normal procedures, be stopped.
It also demanded that all laws which denied justice in accordance with the UN charter on Human Rights be repealed, national and international human rights organizations be allowed access to all parts of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The organization also demanded freedom of assembly, expression and association in all the areas of the former state and that the size and the presence of the security forces be rapidly reduced throughout the former state.
It also held that those who had emigrated out of Jammu and Kashmir for fear of life or property be allowed the exercise of the rights and claim of full rehabilitation in their original abodes.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir be free to meet and evolve a solution of the Kashmir issue. While appreciating president Musharraf's departure from the status quo, the platform expected that Indian leadership would reciprocate the issue.
The orgnization nevertheless urged both the governments not to impose nay solution on Kashmiris. The people of Kashmir were the principal party to the dispute and without their participation in the process, no solution could be termed as just and democratic.
The platform called for immediate action by India and Pakistan to expedite the process of dialogue between Kashmiris on both side of LoC and facilitate their interaction.
