HYDERABAD, Jan 10: The Civil Society Organisations of India and Pakistan launched a signature campaign on Friday to communicate message of peace and brotherhood of the people of both countries to their leaders. They also decided to initiate other activities in the larger interest of peace and harmony.

The coordinator of the Indo-Pak signature campaign, Punhal Sario, Zain Daudpoto of Joint Action Committee Sindh, comrade Ramzan Memon of Bhandar Hari Sangat, Attaullah Moosani of Parbhat Women Organisation, Rehman Memon of Sindh Development Society, Hussain Bux Thebo advocate and others said in a joint statement that the signature campaign had been launched simultaneously in India and Pakistan by the civil society organisations.

Relations between Pakistan and India had improved in the last five years but the Mumbai incident created tension between the two neighbours because of the hawkish policies of civil and military establishments of both countries, they said.

They said that the war hysteria was being drummed up and regretted that the role of media too, was not so praiseworthy.

However, people of the two countries want all contentious issues, including terrorism to be tackled through dialogue. They said that the leaders of the civil society will go to people and rulers with the message of peace.

Both should fight against terrorism and religious extremism jointly and collectively. They called upon the governments of India and Pakistan to appoint a joint committee and investigation commission to suggest ways and means for dealing with terrorists.

They also called sought media’s help in restoration of peace and harmony.