India Pakistan Peace March

May 11 th 2005

On May 11th 2005, the India Pakistan Peace March reached a historic milestone - the destination where it was supposed to end - Multan . The support of the people of both countries has been ever growing to this movement, and it was so evident on the last day - more than 4500 people from all across Pakistan had travelled to come over and participate in the concluding day programmes of India Pakistan Peace March. The city of Multan had many billboards welcoming the people to India Pakistan peace march and hundreds of banners/ posters put up all across the city to mobilise people for the concluding day events in Multan . This is definitely unprecedented for this movement and provides tremendous assurance for future too.

When the Indian peace marchers reached near the city of Multan, thousands of people were lined up with flowers and love dispersed all around for nearly 3 kilometres of distance. People were overwhelmed and emotions flowed uninhibited. The enthusiasm was at a record high, undoubtedly. The peace marchers went to the mazar of sufi saint Bahodin Zakaria and after seeking the saint's blessings, they moved forward.

On the last day, a peace conference was held and close to 1000 people registered in the day's events. They participated in a procession and went all around Multan to spread the message of love and harmony.

This entire peace initiative, connecting thousands of people with love and harmony gives a strong mandate for peaceful co-existence. This stands starkly in contrast to the way governments of India and Pakistan responded to the peace marchers with rude reluctance and unsuccessful bids to thwart the march. Considering the high level peace process which is going on between the two nations, the support and patronage of the governments of these two nations should have been upfront, forthcoming and exemplary. Sadly it wasn't so.

The stumbling blocks that came across the way of India Pakistan Peace March were indeed many, agreed, but the dexterity and steely resolve of the people of India and Pakistan grew phenomenally too, to take the peace march forward. Although the peace march has come to an end, but the peace process connecting people of both nations, has a very long way to go. With the unprecedented love and support this peace march got from people of both nations, the seemingly impossible dream of restoring harmony between these two nations never looked so possible.