LAHORE: The Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) – a civil society organisation that has been working for peace and understanding between the two South Asian neighbours since 1994 – has expressed concerns over escalation of cross-border firing across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
“It seems all these firings are being carried on by both the governments for internal reasons, to satisfy specific constituencies of jingoistic nationalism, and offer little diplomatic advantage to either side,” said a statement on Tuesday.
‘The civilians living in the border villages are the worst victims as they live in constant fear of death and destruction. Schools have been shut in these areas and students are deprived of studies. All families are facing mental trauma. The hard reality is they cannot go to any ‘safer areas’ as the harvesting season is on,” it added.
The forum has appealed to both the governments to take urgent steps to reduce the tensions and end all cross-border firing. “Any escalation of tension is against the interest of both states and the common people. The director generals of military operations (DGMOs) of the two countries should use their hotlines to prevent any firing across the line of control.”
It also requested both the governments to immediately resume dialogue.
