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Students say Indians want peace with Pakistan

By Zakir Hassnain

PESHAWAR: Before they left for India to participate in Indo-Pak Student Peace Camp, families of Laila Shiraz, Feroz Faisal Shah, Nadeh Ali Mir and Mubasharullah vehemently opposed their India visit because of poor relations between the two countries.

Nevertheless, they decided to go to India to attend the student peace camp and International Peace Conference. When Laila, Feroz, Nadeh Ali and Mubashar departed for Chandigarh, they were also nervous as they were going to a country which has fought four major wars with their beloved country.

“But when we landed at the Indian soil, it was altogether a different story. Indians want peace. Nothing but peace with their great neighbour - Pakistan,” Feroz told Daily Times after his return from India.

Laila, Feroz, Nadeh Ali and Mubashar, students at Institute of Management Sciences (IMS), were selected by South Asian Partnership (SAP) for Indo-Pak Peace Camp and International Peace Conference held at Chandigarh from September 27 to October 2.

The peace camp and the conference were organised by Yuvsatta, an Indian NGO, in collaboration with SAP, said Feroz, a student of Bachelor of Business Administration. Feroz said the peace camp and the conference was for youths and aimed at promoting peace between the two countries.

Feroz said 250 delegates from India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh attended the peace camp and the conference. “There were 40 students from Pakistan,” he said.

Feroz said Pakistani students were given a warm welcome wherever they went. “We met people in bazaars. They love Pakistanis. They want peace, free trade and exchange of visits at all levels,” said Feroz.

Nadeh Ali Mir said shopkeepers gave them discounts when they came to know they were from Pakistan. “Indians think some vested interests don’t want India and Pakistan to come closer,” said Mir.

During their India visit, Pakistani students called on the Punjab governor, the chief justice of Punjab High Court, the minister for finance, mayor of Chandigarh and a retired army chief.

“They were all of the view that India and Pakistan should continue dialogues for peace and strengthening their economies,” said Mubashar, a student of Bachelor of Computer Science. He said the Indian Punjab governor also hosted Chand Raat and Eid dinners for Pakistani students.

Mubashar said common people suggested there should be no visas and favoured free trade between the two countries.

“It was a very good trip. We enjoyed it. People are nice and hospitable. They want peace with Pakistan,” said Laila.

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