Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy
Islamabad / Rawalpindi Chapter
Press Release, 21 June 1999
At its General Body meeting held in Islamabad, the PIPFPD passed the
following resolution with reference to the Kashmir situation:
We express our grave dismay and concern at the fast-deteriorating
situation at the LoC and adjoining areas, leading to further
deterioration of the state of Pakistan-India relations. This mini-war
along the LoC is a dangerous development; it belies the claim that
nuclear weapons are deterrents to both conventional and nuclear wars; it
has the potential to escalate into a conventional war and could even
lead to a nuclear conflagration. It does not give rise to confidence in
the intentions of leaders on both sides.
We most strongly condemn: (a) the killing of civilians, particularly
schoolchildren, and the rape of Kashmiri women by Indian forces and
attempts to censor/ban Pakistani media; (b) the presence of all
non-indigenous Kashmiris (whether or not in official uniform) on the
soil of Kashmir on both sides of the LoC; (c) all war propaganda and
incitement to war hysteria on the state-controlled electronic media on
both sides; (d) giving a religious and ideological dimension to this
military operation on both sides.
We strongly reaffirm our solidarity with the basic human right of all
the people of Kashmir to self-determination. We call upon both
governments of Pakistan and India to immediately observe a ceasefire; to
withdraw to their previous positions; to strictly observe the UNMOGIP
provisions on both sides of the LoC; and subsequently, to sit down at
the negotiating table in a serious manner, with sincere intentions not
to engulf the entire sub-continent in a nuclear holocaust; to work out a
peaceful solution to all outstanding issues, starting with Kashmir, with
the participation of all sections of opinion of the Kashmiri people. In
this impoverished region, we can afford to do no less, if we want peace,
democracy, development and progress of our people.
Dr. Zarina Salamat
Chairperson, PIPFPD (Islamabad/Rawalpindi)
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