The peace march has taken a different flavor in Pakistan. While only meetings and gatherings have been allowed, these meetings have been very warm and positive. And usually quite large.

At the Badshahi Fort, a visit and some songs turned into a spontaneous peace rally with Pakistani citizens visiting the fort concurring with the views of the peace marchers. Numerous Pakistanis said that common people from India and Pakistan – not just elite sports people, film stars or politicians – should be able to visit each other, interact, and trade. An extempore speech by Gurdayal Singh Sheetal, a senior peace activist, was loudly appreciated by the crowd that gathered.

While the peace delegates were not allowed permission to march through Pakistan, the Mayor of Lahore has bucked the trend and allowed the peace group to march through Lahore tomorrow. In addition, he has suggested that the peace saplings – as conceptualized by monk Tenzin Rigzin who walked with us on the Indian leg, and taken to Pakistan by Prof. Ramneek Mohan – be planted at the Town Hall in Lahore during a ceremony tomorrow.

The peace march has been welcome warmly by a variety of groups in Lahore. The World Punjabi Congress feted the group, the Awami League in Lahore met with the group, and a reception was hosted by the Journalist Union of Punjab. Besides that, there were numerous meetings with local Human Rights groups, with the Working Women’s Committee in Lahore as well as local schools and colleges.

While at the New Moon Public School, Zaid Ahmed Shaikh, one of the Indian marchers asked the children what war meant to them. A 6th grade girl said that it meant the dropping of bombs, destruction of their crops, rising prices of food grains and increasing poverty. Later on 9th May, the marchers had dinner hosted by Mr Chaudhary, Principal of St. Anthony’s High School.

Based on a phone interview with the Indian and Pakistani Marchers

Related Links
Peace Marchers Cross Border
Reasons for a Peace March
The Bricks for Building Peace
Route of Peace March