Attempts to derail peace process

The stopping of the Lahore-bound friendship bus from New Delhi by a group of Indians protesting against the killing of troops at the Line of Control is unpleasant news by any means. A day after India officially alleged that Pakistani Army’s special troops were involved in the killing of 5 Indian soldiers, the Congress activists stopped the bus twice to vent their anger against the brutal killing.
Thanks to the timely intervention of Indian security forces, the bus safely reached its destination in Pakistan. Earlier on Wednesday an angry mob gathered at Pakistan High Commission office in New Delhi and chanted anti-Pakistan slogans.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already expressed his grief over the loss of life and called for an emergency meeting with Foreign Ministry officials, stressing that it is imperative for both India and Pakistan to take effective steps to ensure and restore the cease-fire across the Line of Control.
It is sad to note that extremist elements on both sides of the border are exploiting the situation to fan hatred and derail the peace process between the two countries. It is unfortunate to note the recent escalation of tension has taken place at a time when prime ministers of both countries are preparing to meet on the sidelines of General Assembly annual meeting in New York in September. Nawaz Sharif has expressed his keenness about the forthcoming meeting with Manmohan Singh on keeping the ball of peace process rolling and not to get it affected by hiccups here and there.
It is high time for the leadership of both the countries not to buckle under pressure from hard-line fringe elements whose agenda is to derail the peace process between the two countries. — Shaukat Ali, Dhahran