Book on India-Pakistan relations launched

January 17, 2013

RECORDER REPORT

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The book "Back from the Brink: India-Pakistan Relations Revisited" edited by Dr Riaz Shaikh, head of Social Sciences Department of SZABIST, was launched at SZABIST campus here on Wednesday. Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, Najmuddin A Shaikh, Brigadier A R Siddiqui, Ghazi Salahuddin Professor Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed were also present on this event. Professor Dr Savita Pande of India was also the part of this session spoke via video online conferencing.

Highlighting the salient features, Riaz Ahmed Shaikh said he has divided his book into four chapters focusing on Pak-India conflicts since the day of inception. Dr Riaz Shaikh, Ahmed said that this book discusses the legacy of the partition and how to overcome these problems.

"The first chapter discussed circumstances which brought the Pakistan on the map of globe and what were its legal aspects. It discussed the history of Pak-India conflict", he informed. "How new conflicts are emerging in shape of Afghanistan between India and Pakistan was elaborated in third part of the book while in fourth and final chapter the editor gave his suggestions and remedies to overcome the problems facing both the countries", he added.

Dr Shaikh said that Pakistan could be a trade corridor once India-Pakistan ties strengthened and country might fetch 4 billion US dollars in head of royalty. Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy stated that instead of finding enemy outside, we have to realise that more than 40,000 innocent Pakistanis have been killed by militants besides more than 4000 soldiers have been killed in war on terror more than the soldiers killed in Pak-India wars.

Professor Savita Pande of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Delhi said that emerging new conflicts in the region have potential to disrupt peace process between India and Pakistan, but we need to realise that Pakistan and India while working jointly can do much more than what we are doing currently. We can bring vital change in the fate of the people of South Asia.

Former Foreign Secretary Najmuddin Shaikh said that both countries should indulge into serious dialogue and that process should be un-interruptive. We should get maximum benefit of our geo-strategic location in economic terms. Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed said that this book discusses the legacy of the partition and how to overcome these problems.

Senior Journalist Ghazi Salahuddin said that Pakistan-India relations are directly linked to our life. He said that conflict has an element of human tragedy as well. He added that we have to accept this fact that Pakistan's progress is depended on its good relations with India.

Brigadier A.R. Siddiqui (Retd) stated that we have to get rid of the mentality of hate and conquered. "In modern age countries cannot be occupied and captured. We have common culture and heritage", he added. Dr Saqib Rizavi, President, SZABIST thanked all the speakers and appreciated Dr Riaz Shaikh for editing this book.