The initiative towards the formation of Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy was taken in late 1993 and the first joint declaration was announced on September 4, 1994 at Lahore. The objectives of this initiative was to facilitate common people in both the countries to listen to voices that are different from the belligerent voices of the respective Governments. It is with the objective of asserting the sanity of the peace loving people of India and Pakistan that concerned citizens and groups in both the countries have come together to formulate strategies for promoting peace and strengthen democracy in the sub-continent. Democratic rights activists, business people, trade unionist, environmentalists, women's movements, artists, writers, social workers, professionals, academicians, students, scientists and mass movements have joined hands in a concerted attempt to persuade their respective governments to enter into meaningful negotiations and adopt policies that will reduce tensions and pave way for lasting peace and friendship. Six historic meetings discussed five major issues -

• War, de-militarisation, peace and peace dividends
• Democratic solution to Kashmir problem
• Democratic Governance
• Religious intolerance in India and Pakistan and
• Globalisation and Regional Cooperation.