LAHORE, March 22: Bureaucrats at Islamabad and New Delhi are creating hurdles in the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan, according to Kuldip Nayar. “They also create obstacles in the issuance of visas and have the backing of their respective governments which reflects insincerity on the part of both the states,” the veteran Indian journalist told newsmen on Wednesday.

“Even after retirement, the bureaucrats continue to block the peace moves as advisers. Inherent weaknesses in the governments is the other factor which slows down the process,” said Mr Nayar at the press conference. Pak-India Peace Initiatives president Awais Sheikh was also present.

“However, there are behind-the-scene activities which continue despite all odds,” he said.

Acts of terrorism in India were labelled as engineered by the ISI and increased pressure on the government which resulted in slowing down the response of New Delhi to Islamabad’s initiates. “There is lack of confidence on both sides. Shak idhar bhi hai, udhar bhi,” he said.

The blame game could only be ended in both the countries if the proposal of joint patrol by the forces of two states was accepted and implemented.

The accredited journalists of both the countries should be given visas at the border, so that they could cover events in other country without any hurdles. There should also be free flow of books and newspapers between the two South Asian neighbours, which had not been permitted yet.

Awais Sheikh said on August 14, an Indian delegation headed by Mr Nayar would come here to celebrate the Pakistan independence day. A Pakistani delegation would go to Amritsar on Aug 15 to celebrate Indian independence day. The delegations would include journalists, writers, lawyers, students and the representatives of the chambers besides NGOs.

This would help further increase people-to-people contacts which was vital for the Indo-Pakistan peace initiatives.