KARACHI, Nov 27: Participants on the international workshop on “Conflict Management Mechanisms and the Challenge of Peace” on Tuesday expressed their optimism about a positive outcome of India-Pakistan initiative and called upon political leadership, civil society and academia around the world to think more seriously about conflict resolution methods and prospects.

On the concluding day of the workshop, organised by the Department of International Relations, University of Karachi, under the Programme on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution in collaboration with Hanns Seidel Foundation, visiting Indian scholar Dr Swaran Singh said sustainable efforts by the two countries could lead to breakthroughs.

Dr Singh, associate professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, in his paper on “Prospects of Conflict Management in Kashmir” highlighted the role of conflict management mechanisms in confidence building measures (CBMs).

“The ceasefire between India and Pakistan is an excellent reflection of an enriched environment of peace,” he said.

Mr Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, assistant professor at the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, presented his paper on “Conflict Management Process in Afghanistan”. Emphasising the need for a more rigorous analysis and better understanding of Afghanistan, he called for more awareness of cultural and political constraints in the aid agencies.

Lt-Gen (Retd) Talat Masood highlighted political importance of South Asian region and described it as highly sensitive. “The need is to foster a peace-friendly approach so that South Asian countries can have a tension-free and cooperative environment,” he said.

Dr Delawar Hossein, associate professor at the University of Dhaka, in his paper maintained that the signing of the CHT peace accord on Dec 2, 1997 was the hallmark of the success of the conflict management techniques.

Ambassador (Retd) Zahid Hussain, citing examples of conflict management’s successful role, said that the South Asian region could benefit immensely through a continued and honest process of peaceful changes.

Farhan Hanif Siddiqi of the Karachi University in his paper said that ethno-nationalistic dimension deepened the conflict in Northern Ireland but the ideas of adjustment and political pluralism played a major role in considerably managing the conflict.

Mr Ganesh Aryal of the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal explained the fact that the war between Maoists and government in his country had claimed about 15,000 lives. He suggested greater participation of people on all levels for managing conflicts.

Prof Moonis Ahmar, who presided over the concluding session, said that conflicts had consumed vast resources of the world and, therefore, there must be creative and purposeful channelisation of the world’s material and intellectual resources.