KARACHI, Dec 31: A large number of people staged a demonstration at the Press Club on Monday to protest against the growing war hysteria between India and Pakistan.

The participants of the demonstration, organized by the Citizens for Peace, called upon both the governments of India and Pakistan to settle their disputes without going to war.

They said that it had been proved time again that all major conflicts that had resulted in war had been settled through negotiations ultimately.

They said that though both the countries were poor, they had been spending a major chunk of their budgets on non-developmental expenditure, such as defence, and that was why they could not spend much on the health and education sectors.

They urged both India and Pakistan to exercise reason and restraint, reduce tension at the borders and solve all their disputes through peaceful dialogue.

They urged both the governments to control fanatics in their countries who were fanning the flames of discord between both the neighbouring countries.

They said that like-minded people under the banner of “People for Peace” were also organizing similar peace rallies in Lahore and Mumbai (India). They said that in Lahore, members of a Joint Committee, an umbrella organization of some 30 groups, planned to meet at the Press club and then proceed with white flags to the Wagah Border where they would light torches for peace.

Most participants were wearing white — colour of peace — and carrying banners with slogans in support of their demand for peace. A signature campaign was also launched and all the demonstrators signed the signature rolls. They also asked the passers-by to take part in the signature campaign.

Some of the banners read: “We want bread and not bomb”; “Give us education and not war”; “Stop sabre rattling”; “War does not determine who is right — only who is left” etc.

Later, the demonstrators, with burning candles in hands, began a peace walk from the Press Club to the Fawara Chowk.

Representatives of various organizations, including the Women Action Forum, War Against Rape, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Aurat Foundation, Pakistan India Forum for Peace and Democracy, Labour Party of Pakistan, Helpline Trust, Pakistan Crescent Youth Organization, etc, took part in the peace walk.