ISLAMABAD: Declaring “religious extremism” as the real enemy facing both Pakistan and India, speakers at a conference on Wednesday urged both Islamabad and New Delhi to work for lasting peace to bring stability and prosperity in the region.

The speakers, including rights activists and media representatives, expressed serious concerns over the ongoing hostilities and the dangerous rhetoric that followed a recent border flare-up between the two South Asian neighbours.

“The enemy is religious extremism. We have been taken hostage by militant organisations who have hijacked the security of both the countries,” said head of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Human Rights Cell and former senator Farhatullah Babar at the conference titled ‘Peace: Let There Be No War between Indo-Pak’, hosted by Shaheed Bhutto Foundation.

“The militants have become so powerful that they can now trigger conflicts that risk escalating into a nuclear war,” said the former senator.

Speakers at conference call for steps to bring lasting peace in region

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Secretary General Harris Khalique described war as a “profitable business” for arms manufacturers.

“Whether it’s in Ukraine or Pakistan and India, it’s the same companies profiting from bloodshed,” he said.

Mr Khalique stressed that Kashmir was not just about land or water rights, it was about the people of Kashmir, whose voices remained excluded from decision-making processes.

Prominent activist Tahira Abdullah called for an international investigation, preferably under the United Nations, into the Pahalgam incident, seen as a flash point in the recent escalation. She warned the conflict could be used to justify increased military allocations in Pakistan’s upcoming budget.

Human rights activist and TV anchorperson Munizae Jahangir referenced a New York Times report that indicated civilian casualties were higher than both governments had officially acknowledged.

“Out of the 53 reported deaths in Pakistan, 40 were civilians. In India, five soldiers and 30 civilians were killed,” she said while quoting a foreign news report.

“Kashmiris remain the real victims, caught in continuing cross-border fire,” she said, adding that despite announcement of ceasefire, there were reports of cross-firing incidents across LoC even today.

Ms Jahangir criticised media’s role in fanning hostilities, adding that the present conflict was rooted in masculine pride and it was depressing for youth.

Rights activist and academic Farzana Bari was of the view that the biggest victims of the conflict were civilians, especially women and children.

She regretted when the media was only focused on the downing of planes and destruction of bases and military equipment in both countries, no one was highlighting the human miseries caused by the recent India-Pakistan conflict.

“The only reasonable statement in this period came from the military itself, calling war between two nuclear nations stupidity and absurd,” she said.

She highlighted the patriarchal nature of militarism, lamenting the toll it took on human life, particularly in Kashmir.

“This is a moment to push for peace, not escalate tensions. Even Indian peace activists are speaking out against war,” she said.

Senior journalist Azaz Syed echoed concerns about deliberate attempts to derail peace initiatives which, he warned, were ultimately more damaging for Pakistan.

Giving historical references, he said, history showed whenever efforts were made to improve ties between the two neighbours, a terrorist attack took place to derail the process.

CEO of the Shaheed Bhutto Foundation Asif Khan pointed out that while Europe had resolved most of its historical conflicts, the South Asian region still struggled with unresolved issues.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2025