0
HYDERABAD, Nov 22: Int-ellectuals, politicians and leaders of public opinion have welcomed the overtures by Pakistan and India to hold negotiations for resolving contentious issues.
They stressed the need for people’s participation in the talks to make them effective.
They were speaking at the “National Peace Seminar in the Context of 12-point Agenda and Dialogue between Pakistan and India” at a hotel here on Friday. The seminar was organized by the Centre for Peace and Human Development, South Asia, in collaboration with the Action Aid Pakistan.
Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bux Palijo said the time had come for both the countries to resolve the contentious issues and restore peace in South Asia.
He said it was necessary that leaders of public opinion of Pakistan’s four provinces were involved in the negotiations.
He said both the countries would have to enter into a new era of peace and amity.
Mr Palijo was of the opinion that without the resolution of Kashmir issue, peace talks would be meaningless.
Professor Dr Abul Kalam of the Dhaka University said geographical boundaries could not keep the people away from each other.
He said Pakistan, India and Bangladesh were linked with each other by nature.
He said a roadmap should be prepared to ensure a lasting peace between Pakistan and India.
Prof Kalam stressed the need for people-to-people talks to bring about rapprochement between the two countries.
MNA Prof Khalid Wahab said the Kashmir issue could only be resolved through negotiations and added that the people of India and Pakistan should be directly involved in the talks.
He said the media had played an important role in bringing the people of the two countries closer to each other.
Professor Mushtaq Meerani opposed the opening of the Khokhrapar route, saying the demand to open the route was a conspiracy aimed at converting the indigenous population of Sindh into a minority in their homeland.
People’s Party Parliamenta-rians MPA Sassui Palijo, Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo, Professor Mehtab Ali Shah, Fauzia Shaheen, Nazeer Laghari and Jami Chandio also spoke on the occasion.
PARKING: Taluka Nazim Latifabad Abdul Jabbar Khan on Saturday cancelled the parking contract of the Jamia Cloth Market.
He said action had been taken on complaints of people as traffic jams were witnessed around the market.
Mr Khan said no recovery would be made henceforth in the name of parking fee.
DEMO: Former employees of Zeal Pak Cement Factory and activists of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz held a joint demonstration on Friday outside the local press club to protest against the non- payment of outstanding dues to former employees.
Speaking on the occasion, Ikramuddin and Amin Saeed as well as JSQM leaders Aslam Sindhi and Asad Shah criticized the factory administration for withholding the payment of poor employees amounting to tens of millions of rupees.
They demanded a high-level inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of the employees fund.
SPSC: The Sindh Public Service Commission on Thursday announced the names of 32 successful candidates who were interviewed by the commission for the posts of stenographer in the Sindh services, general administration and coordination department and recommended their names to the government for appointment.
