‘Say No to War’ rally

LAHORE: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) for People’s Rights, in a powerful call for regional harmony, organised a peace rally under the slogan ‘Say No to War’ outside the Lahore Press Club on Tuesday.

Carrying placards and banners, the participants voiced strong opposition to escalating tensions and demanded urgent diplomatic efforts to ensure lasting peace across borders.

Furthermore, the JAC in its meeting expressed serious concern at the war mongering and escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, bringing the region at the brink of war.

Addressing on the occasion, renowned lawyer and human rights activist Hina Jilani said that both Pakistan and India should avoid escalation of war at a time when the majority of population on both sides are suffering under the weight of economic deprivation and human rights violations. 'Promoting war hysteria will only strengthen extremist forces, instead, people to people contact must be promoted.'

JAC strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and loss of lives, saying that both governments should act responsibly and avoid direct confrontation.

JAC said fanning jingoism and announcing reciprocal steps will further destabilise the region. It will not help to address the real causes behind such acts of violence.

Underscoring all of this are the Indian government’s cruel policies and unchecked violence in Jammu and Kashmir, which must stop, and steps must be taken to uphold the autonomy and rights of the people of Kashmir under international law. JAC appealed to citizens to hold parallel rallies in other cities of Pakistan and India to press for peace and bilateral dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues. Safma, HKP and others activists also participated in the march.