LAHORE: Prominent activists and schoolchildren raised their voices at an event on Saturday calling for safe return of missing activist Raza Khan, peace between India and Pakistan and respecting freedom of expression.

The event was the annual calendar launch of Aaghaz-i-Dosti, a peace initiative between the youths of India and Pakistan, of which Raza was a convener here. The calendar comprises a collection of paintings contributed by schoolchildren from both sides of the border. The evening featured children reading out friendship letters written to them by their Indian counterparts about their likes and dislikes, perception of Pakistan and views on brutalities of war.

A brief video was screened showing Raza’s work for peace-building with schoolchildren. Artist and educator Salima Hashmi shared her experience of teaching children from various backgrounds in London decades ago. She read out poems of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and lauded the efforts of Aaghaz-i-Dosti and the children who contributed their artwork.

Aaghaz-i-Dosti calendar launched

Noted columnist and activist I.A. Rehman stressed how those who advocated peace and friendship were missing and those talking of war, hatred and bloodshed had the freedom to carry out their activities.

“It’s embarrassing and shameful that Raza is missing. He should be returned as soon as possible,” he demanded.

Mr Rehman further called this initiative to share paintings a movement through which children were giving a message of peace to adults.

“Dosti ka aaghaz ho chuka, ab naara hona chahiye mustaqil dosti (Friendship has been initiated, now the slogan should be friendship forever).”

Women rights activist Nighat Khan shared how various peace groups had been formed over the decades. She talked about the strict visa regime, rising fundamentalism in India and Pakistan and the role of their militaries in calling the shots.

“Each step counts, we need to keep struggling, keep building pressure for peace between the two sides.”

Diep Saeeda said the institutions harassing activists, persecuting Baloch or dumping bodies needed to be told they were not doing the country any favour. “Ideas are bullet-proof. My message to Raza’s abductors is that the message of peace will not stop.”

Journalist Imtiaz Alam questioned how not wanting violence was treason. “Who wants loss of lives? Is what we talk about unpatriotic while those who are even banned by the UN are patriotic? Let us coexist peacefully, with love and friendship. We’ll urge the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of Raza’s abduction and demand his abductors release him,” he added.

Travel writer Salman Rashid also spoke on the occasion while singer Ali Aftab Saeed recited a few lines from a peace song penned by Gulzar. Raza Khan’s father also attended the event.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2018