KARACHI, July 22: Representatives of civil society organisations, peace activist, thinkers, writers and analysts have expressed serious concern over derailment of Pakistan-India peace process and strongly condemned the continuing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Palestinians.

Representatives of Pakistan Peace Coalition, Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy, Pen for Peace, Irtiqa Institute for Social Sciences, HRCP, Women Action Forum, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, labour activists and senior journalists attended the meeting.

In a statement issued on Saturday, it was observed that reaction of the Indian government to the Mumbai train blasts and subsequent cancellation of foreign secretary-level meeting for a composite dialogue without having any concrete evidence or any serious investigations was a premature step which had caused a major setback to a feeble peace process between the two countries.

The participants noted that the opportunity was lost to review progress on Siachin and Sir Creek and other bilateral realm by calling off the secretary level talks by India. It was also noted that these talks had been stalled after the Indian military had openly advised against scaling down from Siachin.

In addition, the meeting also expressed concern over cancellation of the visits by Indian parliamentarians to Pakistan and a visit of Pakistani delegation of businessmen and industrialists to India and observed that such retrogressive steps would definitely serve the cause of anti-peace elements of both countries and consequently embolden extremists.

Stressing that the issue of terrorism in the region can only be dealt with through closer cooperation between the two governments, the peace activists pressed both India and Pakistan to observe restraint and work to strengthen peace process instead of indulging in anti-people and anti-peace exchanges.

It was observed that the decision of Pakistani government not to follow the agreements of SAFTA in its recently announced trade policy would unnecessarily delay the development of Saarc as a real instrument of regional cooperation.

The meeting also reviewed the evolving situation in the Middle East following Israeli attack on Lebanon and Palestine and observed that peace process in that region was totally destroyed and it appeared that the latest developments were part of a long-term hegemonic designs of both the US and Israel and held them responsible of the situation.

The participants were also critical of the US policy of opposing immediate cease fire in Lebanon and Gaza and for abetting and condoning Israeli brutality.

The meeting unanimously decided to hold a rally against Israeli aggression on Lebanon and Palestine in collaboration with Anti-War Coalition. The date for the rally will be finalised in consultation with the coalition representatives.