Bureau Report
Islamabad
More than 100 prominent citizens from India and Pakistan have jointly appealed to the Prime Ministers of both countries to revive dialogue, restore diplomatic relations, and take meaningful steps toward lasting peace and regional cooperation in South Asia. The open letter, dated 30 June 2026, was addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The appeal urges both governments to resume structured bilateral dialogue, restore full diplomatic relations, ease visa restrictions, reopen trade and transport links, encourage people-to-people exchanges, and promote cultural, educational, and religious cooperation. It also calls for reopening key connectivity routes, facilitating media exchanges, and prioritising peace and development over continued hostility.
The initiative has attracted support from leading former diplomats, politicians, academics, journalists, civil society activists, and peace advocates from both sides of the border.
Sajjad Azhar
Among the signatories is Sajjad Azhar, Country Editor of The London Post, who is listed among the 100-plus distinguished Indo-Pak signatories supporting the peace initiative.
In their joint appeal, the signatories emphasised that India and Pakistan, home to nearly one-fifth of humanity, share a responsibility to provide future generations with opportunities for peace, prosperity, and regional stability. They stressed that sustained dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving differences and building a secure and cooperative South Asia.
