Pakistani Peace delegation in India from 1 to 9 March 2009

Invitation for interaction with Pakistani Peace delegation March 2nd 2009
 12.00 noon to 2.30 pm
 Chelmsford Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi

Dear

South Asian Network for Social & Agricultural Development (SANSAD) and Confederation Of Voluntary Agencies (COVA) cordially invite you to an Interaction Session between Media Leaders and a Peace Delegation from Pakistan followed by lunch. The Pakistani Peace Delegation is visiting India from 28th February to 9 March 2009 and to New Delhi between 1st and 3rd March 2009. (The profiles of the Pakistan Peace Delegation are enclosed.) The delegation is visiting India as part of the Joint Signature Campaign that was launched in India and Pakistan on 9th January and concluded on 18th February 2009.

Launch and Successful Conclusion of the Joint Signature Campaign

A Joint Signature Campaign against terrorism, war posturing and to promote cooperation and peace between the two countries was successfully organised by the civil society organizations in India and Pakistan from 9th January 2009 to 18th February 2009.

Launched after the terrorist attack on Mumbai in end November 2008, the Joint Signature Campaign received tremendous response in both the countries. Hundreds of organizations working on a variety of issues in different cities, towns and villages spread throughout the Subcontinent participated in the Campaign against terrorism and for peace and cooperation between India and Pakistan.

Exchange of Peace Delegations

As a part of the Campaign, a 17 member Peace Delegation from Pakistan is going to visit India, and along with some Indian representatives, is seeking to submit copies of the Petition on which signatures were obtained in both the countries to the President, Vice President and Prime Minister of India between 2nd and 3rd of March 2009. Subsequently, this Peace Delegation from Pakistan will visit the cities of Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jaipur, Ajmer, Kolkatta, Durgapur, Lucknow, Patna, Nagpur, Hyderabad, and Chennai to meet and interact with the Indian civil society leaders. The 17 member Pakistani delegation comprises of social activists, trade unionists, writers, and political leaders.

During the same time a 16 Member Peace Delegation from India is going to visit Pakistan and submit a similar Petition with copies of signatures collected in both the countries to the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. The Indian delegation will also meet and interact with the citizens of Pakistani cities of Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Haiderabad, Nankana Saheb and Multan. The 16 member Indian Peace Delegation comprises leading religious leaders, social activists, media persons and peace activists. Profiles of the Indian Peace Delegation are enclosed.

It is expected that the exchange of Peace Delegations from India and Pakistan crossing over on the same day will send across very positive messages in both the countries. Both delegations comprise activists with large grassroots base and their exposure to the ground realities of the neighboring country and the large reservoirs of goodwill available will enable them to positively enlighten their constituencies back home on their return.

We look forward to your participation in the Interaction Session.

Anil K Singh,
 Secretary General SANSAD

South Asian Network for Social & Agricultural Development (SANSAD)
 N-13, Second Floor
 Green Park Extension
 New Delhi -110 016, India
 Phone (Work) : +91-11-41644845, 41758845,41644576
 Fax : +91-11-41644576
 Mobile : +91-9810015250
 Phone (Home) : +91-11-64144189
 E-mail : sansadasia@hotmail.com
 anilsingh2005@rediffmail.com

From: COVA network <indopak.jointcampaign22@gmail.com>
 Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 6:45:56 PM
 Subject: 12 Member Pakistani Peace Delegation for 12 Indian Cities- Joint Signature Campaign

Dear friends

A 12 Member Peace Delegation crossed the Wagah- Attari Border on 1st March 2009 for a 10 day Goodwill visit to India. The Peace Delegation will be visiting Amritsar, Delhi, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Patna, Kolkotta, Durgapur, Jaipur, Ajmer and Chandigarh before they return to Pakistan on 9th March 2009.

Over a hundred organisations in India are involved in organising programs for the Pakistan Peace Delegation where they will be meeting and interacting with school, college and university students, youth groups; teachers, students, workers and trade unions, social, women’s, human rights and peace activists; leaders of Dalit and marginalised communities, businessmen and corporate representatives, editors and leaders of the media, members of political parties and other dignitaries.

Program for Amritsar and Delhi is attached and appended below. Programs for other cities will be mailed soon.

Please join the programs in your city to cement your solidarity for peace!!

Big Thank you and an Appeal

We would like to express our gratitude to hundreds of organisations and individuals who have endorsed the Indo- Pak Joint Signature Campaign Against Terorism and War and to promote Peace and partnered to collect thousands of Signatures from hundreds of cities, towns and villages in both India and Pakistan. We appeal to all those who have not yet sent the forms and banners on which the signatures were collected to kindly post them immediately to the following addresses:

Facilitating Organisations:

Proposed Program Schedule of the Pakistan Peace Delegation to India

1st – 9th March 2009

1st to 3rd March: Programs at Amritsar and Delhi

Sunday 1st February- Lahore - Amritsar

Coordination at Amritsar:

1. Mr. Ramesh Yadav- 98723 18484, 0183 2221599

11.00 am Cross over at Wagah - Attari border
 2.00 pm Reach Amritsar followed by Lunch
 4.00 pm Interaction with Civil Society Organisations and Media- Virsa Vihar Amritsar
 10.00 pm Depart for Delhi by Volvo Bus- Escort:

Contacts at Delhi:
 1. Coordination: Haris Kidwai- 09811081240 and Mazher Hussain- 9849178111
 2. Appintments:Shailander Uniyal-98186 01094
 3. Events and Logistics: Coordination: Rajeshwar and Asghar
 4. Media: Mohita Nagpal- 98730 27024

Programs at Delhi - Monday, 2nd March

Monday, 3rd March 2009