KARACHI, April 9: Former ombudsman of Sindh Justice (r) Haziqul Khairi has said that Khokhrapar-Monabao train route and the Indian consulate in Karachi be reopened for the convenience of those intending to visit India from Sindh.

He was speaking as chairman at a meeting held here on Friday to discuss Regiments of peaceful co-existence between India and Pakistan organized by Shura Hamdard, Karachi Chapter.

Ms Sadia Rashid, President of the Shura Hamdard Pakistan, was also present on the occasion. Eminent scholar Dr Manzoor Ahmed said that the history of the subcontinent was riddled with differences between Pakistan and India and the occupied Kashmir was a symbol.

However, he added, dialogue and exchange of delegations between the two sides appeared a right approach towards narrowing down such differences. He stressed the need for consistent and constant work in this direction as a solution to Kashmir issue in near future was not in sight.

He pointed out that certain areas of the NWFP and Balochistan had still not been merged in Pakistan. Now the best way to do so is to carry out development work in these areas, he said.

Haq Nawaz Akhtar, a former chairman of Pakistan Steel, said that it in the interest of British rulers, and not Pakistan, to keep the northern and tribal areas as a buffer zone. But now we should extend the writ of Pakistani law to all these areas, he said, and stressed that contacts for the purpose be established with the tribal people, and not with their chieftains.

We should bring the people of these areas into the economic mainstream of the country, he added. Unless the historical view is changed, peace between Pakistan and India could be not be established. There is a need for a new interpretation of history. Let us change the concept of a Hindu-Muslim conflict for a peaceful co-existence.

Prof Wiquar Ahmed Rizvi, head of the Urdu Department, University of Karachi, said that Pakistan had issued 2,500 visas to Indian citizens on the occasion of cricket matches. India should reciprocate the gesture by simplifying its visa process and extending necessary facilities.

In this regard, he emphasized the need for better facilities for the people of Pakistan, especially Karachi, and reopening of Indian consulate in this city.

Engineer Anwar Haq Siddiqui was of the view that peaceful co-existence would benefit both the nations in terms of bilateral trade, availability of each other's goods at cheaper rates, less expensive transport facilities, etc.

He said better ties would also make them reduce their defence expenditure which ultimately would result in improvement in the standard of living in the two countries. He also spoke of cooperation in the field of human resource development and water management to achieve a better agricultural yield.

Dr Syed Amjad Ali Jafery called for further improvement in Pakistan's relations with China and Russia, saying that the two big powers were in a position to influence the United States and India. Mr Jasimuddin Khan was of the view that if petty matters were ignored and due attention was paid to major issues, ties with India would show an improvement.

Col (r) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt observed that India did not want to change its stand on Kashmir. In order to resolve the issue, he suggested, pressure be built up on US and UK as the problem was created by these powers and only thy could help settle it.

Mr Qutbuddin Aziz, Syed Mustafa Ali Barelvi, Jam Amir Ali Khan, Saeed Siddiqui, Prof Nadeem Qureshi and Ms Akhtar Begana were among others who spoke at the meeting. -PPI