HYDERABAD, March 11: Peace activists, writers and intellectuals from the Indian state of Rajasthan on Friday urged the two countries to soften visa policies. They also asked the two governments to spend major amounts of their fiscal budgets on welfare of people, elimination of poverty and joblessness, education and health services, instead of utilizing it on defence.

The seven-member Indian delegation, who came through the Khokhrapar-Munabao route, arrived at the local press club to attend a reception hosted by the club.

Jawarhal Lal of the Nature-Human Centric People’s Movement led the delegation.

He said population of Pakistan and India, having rich agriculture land, constituted 20 per cent of the world population but the two countries topped a list of 190 countries as far as poverty was concerned. “Around 300 million people of Saarc member countries sleep hungry, 400 million live below the poverty line, 50 per cent are illiterate and 50 per cent have no access to safe drinking water,” he said.

In fact, he regretted, a third power had forced the countries into an arms race. He admitted that Kashmir remained the bone of contention between the two countries and it would be great injustice if it was not resolved in accordance with aspirations of people.

“Therefore, both countries should give up arms race and try to solve this core issue by way of peaceful negotiations. Pakistan and India should not let America establish its bases in Kashmir in order to contain China,” he said while stressing the need for increasing people-to-people contacts as it would help remove misgivings and misunderstandings.

Other members of the delegation, including Pars Ram Rana, Kishan Solangi, Abdul Aziz, Dr Abdul Rasheed and Begum Zaibun Nisa, acknowledged the love and affection they received from people during their visit.

They described the opening of the Khokhrapar-Munabao border as a blessing.

They said the Khokhrapar railway station was equipped with all facilities but the Zero Point station lacked even drinking water facility.

They also sung a peace song.

Earlier, pres club president Iqbal Mallah and secretary Shahid Sheikh welcomed the delegation members and presented Sindhi Ajraks and caps to them.