Lahorites have urged decision-makers in India and Pakistan to put up a joint front against Hindu and Muslim fanatics who want to sabotage the peace process.
LAHORE: Expressing shock and grief over the loss of lives in the Samjhauta Express carnage, Lahorites have urged decision-makers in India and Pakistan to put up a joint front against Hindu and Muslim fanatics on both sides of the border who want to sabotage the peace process.
"Just when things were set to move in the right direction, the train blast has come. Disturbing, yes. Shocking, no, because it is mutually understood by the people of both countries that fanatics have time and again peppered the peace process," said Prof Azizuddin Ahmed.
Human Right activist Asma Jehangir said it is an act of terrorism and should be dealt with in that way. "The tragedy is that the bilateral policy of India and Pakistan is marred heavily by the fanatic elements on both sides and it needs to be taken care of with mutual cooperation and understanding since it is a joint problem."
Travelling to India is not something Lahorites can take lightly from now on. Most of them believe that just like the Muslim fanatics are unhappy about the peace process, the Hindu fundamentalists are also feeling uneasy. "It always meant a lot of risk. If nothing else, the precautionary measures that are taken by the governments right from documentation to the security measures prior to the expedition itself can freak the passengers out," said Ali Hamza, who recently went to India on Samjhauta to meet his family members.
Interestingly, the leadership of the six-party religious alliance, the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, while condemning the tragedy, has described it a conspiracy to dissuade India and Pakistan from treading on the peace path. The MMA President Qazi Hussaain Ahmed said the governments should adopt a policy of mutual understanding to provide security and peace to their citizens.
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