South Asia Citizens Web

In the backdrop of the recent earthquake in Japan and an even bigger disaster being unfolded by the crumbling nuclear reactors in the country prompting serious threat to human life, water bodies and the eco systems of the region, the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, and Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum have written a letter to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman. The letter demands the shutting down of nuclear reactors across Pakistan and safe transport of all radioactive materials to locations very distant from people and water bodies. The PAEC Chief has also been asked to share any stated plans related to actions to minimise risks and damages from nuclear plants, in the event of a natural disaster.

The young lovers met at a secluded spot next to a
field of wheat at the edge of this sprawling suburb of New Delhi,
where the timeless India of mustard fields and bullock carts abuts the
frantically rising apartment towers of the budding middle class. They
went seeking solitude, but instead found themselves at the violent
cusp of old India and new.

The Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) and the Pakistan Fisher folk Forum (PFF), two major civil society organizations have expressed grave concern over the brutal use of force against peasants by the Punjab government.

An Indian Peace Delegation visited Pakistan from 17th to 25th March 2011. During their stay they visited Karachi, Hyderabad, Islamabad and Lahore. They met Pakistan Prime Minister Mr. Yusuf Reza Gilani, Sindh Chief Minister Mr. Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Senators of various political parties, civil society activists, journalists, members of business community, and students amongst others. The 12 member Indian delegation was led by Mr. Kuldip Nayar (veteran journalist) and included Mr. Mahesh Bhatt (Film Personality), Mr. Bhalchandra Mungekar (Memeber, of Parliament) Mr. Shahid Siddiqui (Editor, Nai Duniya), Mr. Jatin Desai (FOCUS), Dr. Mazher Hussain (COVA), Ms. Kamla Bhasin (SANGAT), Mr. Ramesh Yadav (FRI), Mr.Sanjay Nahar (SARHAD), Mr. Haris Kidwai (Peace Activist), Mr. Y. Laxmi Prasad (Former MP) and Mr. A. Krishna Rao (Journalist).

The government continues to demonstrate deniability on the phenomenon of enforced disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the government agencies we the family members of those who have been subjected to enforced disappearances are maligning the state agencies. The government wants the people to believe that most of the disappeared persons have actually crossed over to Pakistan administered Kashmir for arms training or have left for some other places. The government refers to these persons as missing people.