A group of citizens have joined together in forming a citizens forum to promote and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the citizens of Pakistan and India based upon the declarations made by the governments of Pakistan and India that the peace process between the two countries is now irreversible and based upon recognition and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country.

All disputes and differences between India and Pakistan will be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy in a peaceful manner.

The Pakistan-India Citizens Friendship Forum, a voluntary association, will seek to serve the objects of peaceful and harmonious relations between the two countries based on mutual interest and the principles of equality, fraternity, tolerance, goodwill and well being of the peoples of Pakistan and India.

The founder members of the Forum include Sardar Sher Baz Khan Mazari as patron, Lieutenant General Moinuddin Haider as chairman, Liaquat Merchant as co-chairman; Ahsan Mukhtar Zubairi, Mrs Nadira Panjwani, and Mrs Ameena Saiyid as vice chairpersons; Badr-ud-Din Khan as secretary-general, Abbas Akberali as joint secretary general; Khaleeq Kayani (treasurer), and Aziz Memon, Mansoor Alam, Dr A.S. Naseer, Justice Haziqul Khairi (Retd) and Justice G.H. Malik among others as members.

A Spokesman for the Pakistan-India Citizens Friendship Forum expressed hope that the Forum will play a positive and constructive role in driving the peace process forward to the mutual advantage and benefit of citizens of both countries.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005