MINUTES OF FIRST [PAKISTAN] NATIONAL CONSULTATION FOR DELHI-MULTAN PEACE MARCH
2005
Indo-Pak Peace March Preparatory Committee Meeting, October 25, 2004
The meeting was held at PSF National Secretariat Lahore. The members
of Pakistan Social Forum, Punjab Social Forum, Sindh Social Forum,
Joint Action committee for Peace and Democracy Lahore, Pakiitan
Peace Coalition, Anjuman Asiai Awam, Anjuman Mozareen Punjab,
Mutahida Labor Federation, Citizens Peace Committee Islamabad and
many other social organizations, social movements and political
groups participated in the meeting. The meeting among other things
discussed the following items:
* Background, purpose and rationale of the Peace March 2005 followed
by questions and answers.
* Presentation of the March Route in India and Pakistan followed by
suggestions and comments
* Mobilization strategies and suggestions
* Formulation of messages and slogans for peace march.
* Formation of Organizing Committee: ideas and nominations
The participating coalitions and social organizations were
informed that the purpose of meeting is to discuss a proposal came
form many peace groups and networks in India for a joint peace March
from Delhi to Multan during year 2005. Mohammad Tahseen and B.M
Kutty explained the background of the proposal that came from Mr.
Sandeep Pandy of Ekta Pareshad during Pakistan India joint
convention for peace in the year 2004. The proposal was discussed at
various peace forums of Pakistan and India and finally Indian groups
accepted the suggestion and a process for organization has started
in India. Irfan added that the Indian groups have formed a joint
organizing committee for the peace march that comprised of active
peace groups, networks, social movements and other human rights
networks from all over the India. HE said that this meeting is an
attempt to bring as many peace groups working in Pakistan and
consult them for organizing this peace march along with Indian
committee. He also explained the Pakistan Social Forum's steering
committee has accepted to facilitate the march along with other
peace networks and coalitions.
The participants after some discussion realized the importance of
the March as it can mobilize large number of people of India and
Pakistan besides educating people on the issues facing civil society
of India and Pakistan. All the participating coalitions agreed to
provide their input for organizing and making the peace march
successful.
The discussion of participants comprised of planning regarding
preparations of Peace March within Pakistan, formation of criteria
for Pakistani core marchers from Dehli to Multan, Formulation of
mobilization strategies, slogans and massages as well as selection
and formation of organizing committee. The participants gave
following suggestions;
Some of the suggestions & Recommendations came from the participants
were:
* There is a need to revive the date of Peace March. Present date
can be clashed with forthcoming L.G. elections in Pakistan. In
addition months of April and May are normally the wheat harvesting
season in Punjan so most of the farmers will be busy with their
harvesting chores. The participants therefore resolve to suggest
Indian committee to shift the starting date of the Peace March from
23rd of march 2005 to 23rd of February to facilitate more
participation of people in the peace march
* All provinces required to be participated equally in the
activities of peace march along with Punjab. The participants agreed
to the proposal of organizing parallel marches in other provinces
while the main march will be on its way from Delhi to Multan. This
will provide maximum participation of citizens of Pakistan
particularly those living away from the march rout.
* The activity should be shaped as Peace March cum Peace (Aman)
Mella. Such mellas especially at rural areas in the way can create a
good impact.
* A large joint banner should be designed as "Pak-India Peace March
2005". The names of all coalitions and organization, participating
in this activity can be placed on the banner.
* Many moots, processions, cultural activities reflecting the
culture of all provinces; meeting with lawyers, journalists & trade
unions and mellas are required to be arranged at all stoppages of
Peace March to welcome the marchers and to highlight the issue.
Moreover the participants of these processions can accompany the
core marchers till next place.
* An parallel inauguration ceremony can be arranged in Lahore while
the march will start from Delhi on February 23rd to announce the
activity simultaneously in Pakistan.
* Parallel peace marches can be arranged simultaneously with major
activity in all over Pakistan to increase the impact. These marches
can join the core marchers at Multan at the culmination point.
* A pamphlet/leaflet comprising of the purpose of peace march should
be published and widely dissemination prior to the march to mobilize
people.
* A peace conference cn be organized as the closing ceremony with
full participation and coverage of local and international media can
be arranged at Multan.
* A logo for the activity should be designed.
* In order to promote sharing and joint planning efforts the meeting
suggested to form a joint Indo-Pak organizing committee.
* The Peace March can be called as "Aman Caravan"
* The participants also suggested criteria for the selection of core
marchers;
1. Ideological Clarity of the issue
2. Peace activist
3. Representation from all walks of life i.e. scholars,
journalists, folk singers, old persons and story tellers.
4. Representation from provinces
5. Women representation
* The suggestions for the issues of messages and slogans are;
1. Mass participation
2. Ban of Missile tests
3. Poverty alleviation
4. De-militarization and denuclearization.
5. regional cooperation
6. Friendly visa policy
7. Pro-people SAFTA
8. Issues of prisoners & Fisher Folk
Some suggestions came for the mass mobilization for the peace march
were to print and disseminate a pamphlets, a poster & banners in all
major cities and towns on the march route. A website and e-
circulation of announcement for peace march, announcements in NGO
Magazines, newspapers and other print media, regular media forums &
conferences, discussion forums at district levels, series of press
conferences in major cities of Pakistan, material dissemination at
schools, colleges and universities can be some effective strategies.
The meeting decided to use main G.T. Road from Lahore to Multan as
the route of the March and there should be a stop over at average 15-
20 km distance daily. JAC Lahore agreed to coordinate the events &
activities in Lahore. Peace between India and Pakistan would be the
major focus of messages & slogans.
The meeting decided to form an organizing committee for preparation
of peace march comprising of 1-2 representatives of all
participation coalitions and networks, and equal representation to
provinces. Similarly women would be given representation in
organizing committee. Moreover district organizing committees would
be formed who would be responsible to organize the activities at
district level. Big cities committees following the rout of March
would be formed.
The first organizing committee formed was as follows:
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Dr. A.H. Nayyar, and Karamat Ali (Pakistan Peace Coalition), Sayeda
Diep and Mehar Safdar (Anjuamn Asiai Awam), Yaqoob, Yusuf Baloch and
Altaf Baloch (Mutahida Labor Federation), Riaz Ahmed (Citizen Peace
Committee) Dr. Christopher and Aqeela (Anjuamn Mozareen Punjab),
Irfan Mufti (Pakistan Social Forum), Abbass Shakir and Zia-Ur Rehman
(Punjab Social Forum), Shamoon Pitras (Chistian), Zahid Gardezi
(Multan) NAsreen (Cheecha Watani) Joint Action Committee Lahore will
give names of its representatives after its meeting. The meeting
also decided to offer other peace networks to send representatives
for this committee.
