Pakistan human rights activist Asma Jahangir has said that efforts to stem the slide in the peace process between India and Pakistan will have to be 'redoubled' on both sides of the border.
The adverse effects are there for everybody to see, she said, pointing at the expulsion of the diplomats and the cancellation of visit by Indian parliamentarians to Pakistan in the aftermath of Mumbai blasts.
"We are already seeing the adverse effects and it is important that peace activists on both sides of the border come together and re-double their efforts so that this downward spiral is arrested at the earliest," Asma told PTI.
In New Delhi to release the illustrated version of Khushwant Singh's novel on partition, Train to Pakistan on its fiftieth anniversary, Asma was effusive in her praise of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for expressing regrets after a Delhi Police team searched her room in Delhi.
"It was so gracious of him to have
Asma has been at the forefront along with other peace activists in Pakistan in advocating better relations with India by increased people-to-people relations. She condemned the denial of visa by Pakistan to noted lyricist Javed Akhtar and emphasised on a more open visa policy.
"I don't know what both governments gain by denying visas to prominent people who are admired on both sides of the border. Ordinary people should be allowed to roam freely so that they can understand each other better," she observed.
It was with her open opposition to the anti-women provisions in the 'Hudood' laws in the early 80's that Asma hit international headlines, and since then, it has been a long-drawn battle. On the recent failure of Pakistan government to pass amendments to the anti-women provisions in the 'Hudood' law, Asma said she was not disappointed as the civil society was largely against these laws.
