Beyond business

My article on how it all started for The News special edition published ahead of ‘Dividends’, the Aman ki Asha Indo-Pak Business Meet in Lahore, May 7-8, 2012, attended by several top Indian businessmen, addressed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Chief Minister of Punjab, and the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. See Aman ki [...]

Trade winds for peace: In the air, a hope song

This article was originally published in The News and The Times of India last week Trade winds for peace By Beena Sarwar “Trade for peace” is the new catchphrase defining the emerging relationship between India and Pakistan – a relationship historically so troubled that, when not actually at war, they have been engaged in a [...]

“Focus, and spread the message of peace to all” – Nandita Das | Thousands worldwide to Pray for Peace between India and Pakistan on Dec 18

By Beena Sarwar From Indian actor Nandita Das in Mumbai, to peace groups and individuals all over India and Pakistan, and in countries as far away as Korea, Australia, Canada and America, thousands are supporting Pray for Peace Between India and Pakistan Day on Sunday, Dec 18, 2011. Inspired by the idea of the power [...]

Aman ki Asha pages featuring Mumbai journalists’ Pakistan visit

Here are PDFs of two recent Aman ki Asha pages that I tried to email to the Mumbai journalists who visited Pakistan recently, as the pages feature their responses. Since the second PDF file was for some reason too large to email, I’m posting both of them here. Click these links for the PDFs: Aman [...]

Indian pilot’s daughter writes a deeply touching reply to Pakistani pilot who shot her father’s plane down

Thanks to Naveed Riaz in Lahore for the email that formed the basis of my report on Qais Hussain’s condolence note to Farida Singh, daughter of the Indian pilot whose plane he shot down during the 1965 war. Here’s another note Mr Riaz just sent to his email list:  This profoundly humane episode continues to [...]

After 46 yrs, the healing touch: Pak pilot says sorry for mistake

NOTE: Qais Hussain has clarified that he did not ‘apologise’ for what he did. His note was a letter of condolence and an attempt to set the record straight. He has written to Indian Express with this clarification Front page report in The Indian Express Aug 10, 2011: After 46 yrs, the healing touch: Pak pilot [...]

Governor Rajasthan delays Dr Chishty’s release

DR CHISHTY CASE UPDATE Beena Sarwar June 21: The expected release of an elderly Pakistani academic imprisoned in India for nearly two decades was delayed as the Governor of Rajasthan raised further queries instead of signing the mercy petition recommended to him by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan – flouting the constitutional provision that requires [...]

Pakistan2020 report; Aman Ki Asha wins int’l awards; Dorothy freed

Posted to my yahoogroup earlier today: My NY trip was very brief and hectic, but rewarding. Great to catch up with some friends and apologies to those I couldn’t contact or meet. I attended two very interesting events: the launch of Hassan Abbas‘ report ‘A Vision for Building a Better Future‘, and the INMA awards [...]

Dr Chishty incarceration: details from his daughter Amna Chishty

16th April 2011 Details of my father’s case: Before I go into his case a brief background of my father: He is almost 80 years old. He received his PhD from University of Edinburgh, Scotland in 1968 in Public Health Virology. He had an illustrious career as a professor and head of department of virology [...]

Days of Hope and Challenge: Understanding the Middle East and South/Central Asia

The paper I presented at Boston University, April 14, 2011, organised by American Friends Service Committee, that United for Justice with Peace helped publicise, as a fundraiser for AFSC