5th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar launched in Toba Tek Singh

Toba Tek Singh: On January 8, Aaghaz-e-Dosti, a joint Indo-Pak Friendship initiative, launched its 5^th Indo-Pak Peace Calendar in Toba Tek Singh in collaboration with Youth for Human Rights Pakistan. The launch preceded a discussion on Indo-Pak peace with eminent speakers including Professor Dr. Muhammad Saleem (GC University Faisalabad), Hafiz Abdul Hai (Religious leader), Ms. Zara Shah (Human Rights Activist), Abdul Khaliq Sannam (Poet and Author), Irfan Gill and Khurrum Fiaz (social activists), Muhammad Asif Nadeem (journalist) and Umair Ahmad (Coordinator of Aaghaz-e-Dosti and Chairperson Youth for Human Rights Pakistan). The program was moderated by Gulzar Ahmad and Adil Fraz.

Every year, Aaghaz-e-Dosti, launches an Indo-Pak peace calendar in India and Pakistan. This calendar includes selected paintings of students from India and Pakistan and is launched followed by a seminar ‘Sharing of Hopes for a peaceful and friendly co-existence’. This calendar also includes messages from renowned personalities working on the peace from both the countries. The importance of the calendar is that it is a collection of shared dreams and hopes for friendship which we will be reminded of everyday.

The launch in Gojra Bar Association saw a large numbers of people gathering. People from all walks of life had participated. Sammia Sanam student from Govt. Girls High School, Gojra Toba Tek Singh whose painting was selected for inclusion in the peace calendar had come and were felicitated. The distinguished guests spoke on different issues concerning Indo-Pak peace.

Dr. Muhammad Saleem emphasized that an Indo-Pak friendship initiative like Aaghaz-e-Dosti is extremely needed in these times for peaceful co-existence in the globe. Such initiatives play great key role in enhancing cultural, traditional, and trade values in the region and will help full to eliminate the environment of hatred.

Mr. Hafiz Abdul Hai stressed that religious scholars play crucial role in promoting peace by delivering actual religious messages. All religions preach peace, love, and harmony. He also shared about renowned Sufi saints of sub-continent for betterment of mankind.

Ms. Zara Shah said that both countries visa policy for good exchanges visits, health, trade, and promotions of tourism should be revised for easy access. Abdul Khaliq Sanam expressed that people of both countries suffer from extremism and terrorism and could mutually stand against their elimination.

Umair Ahmad spoke briefly about Aaghaz-e-Dosti, its initiatives, and its outreach. Heads of both states should hold international convention on the cessation of war to avoid danger to human lives and devastation at large scale, he added. Umair Ahmad also stressed the need of friendship relations with India and all the neighbors. He said that the inter-religious and inter-faith harmony was the need of the hour for which world leaders should come forward. He also said terrorism could not be defeated by bullet.

The calendar was launched in Lahore on January 1. This calendar is also scheduled to be launched in several other cities like Peshawar and Karachi in Pakistan and Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Panipat in India.

View more photos from the launch

Press Release issued by

Umair Ahmad

Co-ordinator – Toba Tek Singh

In case of any more details required, you may email at aaghazedosti@gmail.com or yhrpak@gmail.com