JAMMU, Jul 2: Renowned human rights activist Om Parkash Khajuria on Thursday welcomed the joint appeal made by 116 prominent personalities, including former bureaucrats, diplomats, retired judges, military veterans, academics and civil society members from India and Pakistan, urging the Prime Ministers of both countries to resume bilateral dialogue and restore normal relations.
Khajuria described the initiative as a timely and constructive step, saying that sustained dialogue remains the only practical, civilized and peaceful way to resolve even the most difficult and long-pending issues between neighbouring nations.”History has repeatedly shown that wars do not provide lasting solutions. War itself is a tragedy, and expecting it to resolve disputes only creates more suffering, destruction and mistrust,” he said.
Expressing concern over the devastating consequences of armed conflicts, Khajuria observed that wars are no longer remain confined to the countries directly involved. He pointed out that recent conflicts in West Asia, including tensions involving Iran and the United States, disrupted international trade, affected crude oil prices, fuelled inflationary pressures and impacted economies across the world, including India.
He said the modern world is deeply interconnected, and any military confrontation inevitably affects global peace, economic stability and the lives of ordinary people. “The cost of war is ultimately borne by common citizens through economic hardships, loss of livelihoods, displacement, insecurity and the loss of precious human lives,” he said.
Khajuria, who is himself a Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) displaced person, said he fully understands the lifelong pain and trauma of being uprooted from one’s native land due to conflict. “Displacement is not merely the loss of a home; it is the loss of identity, heritage, memories and generations of emotional attachment to one’s roots. Those who have suffered the agony of displacement can never celebrate war or wish such suffering upon others,” he remarked.
Appealing to the leadership of both India and Pakistan to place humanitarian concerns above political differences, Khajuria said both nations should work towards confidence-building measures, greater people-to-people contact and meaningful dialogue to ensure lasting peace, regional stability and shared prosperity.
To reinforce his message, Khajuria quoted the celebrated Urdu poet Sahir Ludhianvi, whose timeless verses continue to capture the devastating human cost of war:”Khūn Apnā Ho Yā Parāyā Ho,Nasl-E-Ādam Kā Khūn Hai Ākhir.Jang Mashriq Mein Ho Ki Maghrib Mein,Amn-E-Ālam Kā Khūn Hai Ākhir.Bomb Gharon Par Giren Ki Sarhad Par,Rūh-E-Ta’mīr Zakhm Khātī Hai.Khet Apne Jalen Ki Auron Ke,Zīst Fāqon Se Tilmilātī Hai.Tank Āge Baṛhen Ki Pīchhe Haṭen,Kokh Dhartī Kī Bāñjh Hotī Hai.Fateh Kā Jashn Ho Ki Hār Kā Sog,Zindagī Mayyaton Pe Rotī Hai.”
Khajuria said these immortal lines remind humanity that every war, irrespective of where it is fought or who claims victory, ultimately destroys human lives, devastates families, ruins economies and leaves generations to suffer its consequences.He urged both governments to seize every opportunity for constructive engagement, emphasizing that peace, mutual respect and sustained dialogue—not military confrontation—are indispensable for ensuring prosperity, regional stability and a secure future for the people of both countries and the wider region.