Pakistan-India Peoples' Forum for Peace and Democracy

JOINT INDO-PAK CONVENTION DECRIES GLOBAL HEGEMONY

Allahabad, 31 December 2011

The 8th Joint Convention of the Pakistan India Peoples Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) concluded in Allahabad today while calling on the people of India and Pakistan to resist global hegemonism and support peoples’ resistance movements in a spirit of international solidarity.

The three day event comprised cultural programmes, including performances by Seema Anil Sehgal, the Gundecha brothers, Mahmood Farooqi and Nadira Babbar.

In a keynote address to the convention, Dr. Ravi Sinha of the New Socialist Initiative discussed the dangers posed by global hegemony, pliant nation states and totalitarian communities.

In another special lecture, Dr. Jean Dreze rejected the doctrine that mutually assured destruction guarantees peace.

The Convention also involved focused discussions on common threats to India and Pakistan, capitalist hegemony and peoples’ struggles, human security and Kashmir.

The working group on Kashmir involved the active participation of members of the political class and civil society from all parts of Kashmir. It called for an end to human rights violations on all sides, freedom of travel across the Line of Control, and the demilitarization of both Kashmirs.

The president of the Pakistan chapter of the PIPFPD, Mr. I. A. Rehman decried the fact that the two governments were neglecting important issues such as child and maternal health, while spending money on militarization.

A joint meeting of writers from both sides of the border said that globalization and military dictatorship in Pakistan had damaged the flow of progressive literature.

In its concluding declaration, the Convention pledged to evolve new strategies and launch initiatives to facilitate people to people dialogue and hold regular joint conventions in the future.

PIPFPD

Allahabad

31.12.2011