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ریتو اور ایمن کی دوستی : "پاکستان اور بھارت کے مابین قربتیں بڑھانے کا وقت ہے"
SBS Urdu
06:48
Aimen Jafri, a Pakistani-Australian community leader and former Chair of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, has long been an advocate for multicultural harmony in Australia. Her Indian counterpart and close friend, Ritu Sharma, shares this vision. Despite the political discord between their countries of origin, their friendship stands as a testament to the power of personal connections in fostering peace.
"My relatives in Pakistan, especially those near the Line of Control, are deeply distressed by the current situation," Aimen shares. "In such times, Ritu's messages of empathy and friendship mean the world to me."
Ritu echoes this sentiment: "Aimen is one of my dearest friends. Our shared cultural values have brought us close, and I believe that people-to-people connections are crucial for peace."
The backdrop to their friendship is a rapidly deteriorating situation in South Asia. On April 22, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists. India responded with "Operation Sindoor," launching missile strikes on suspected militant targets in Pakistan-administered areas, resulting in significant casualties.
Pakistan retaliated with cross-border attacks, claiming to have killed numerous Indian soldiers. Both nations have reported civilian casualties, and the Line of Control has become a flashpoint for continuous skirmishes.
International observers express grave concerns over the potential for further escalation between these nuclear-armed neighbors.
Amidst this turmoil, Aimen and Ritu's friendship serves as a beacon of hope. They advocate for increased people-to-people engagement between Indians and Pakistanis, believing that such connections can pave the way for lasting peace.
"It's time to share love, not hatred," they assert. Their bond exemplifies how personal relationships can challenge entrenched hostilities and foster mutual understanding.
In a world often divided by politics and conflict, the friendship between Aimen Jafri and Ritu Sharma reminds us of our shared humanity. Their story underscores the importance of dialogue, empathy, and personal connections in bridging divides and building a more peaceful future
Aimen explains that her close relatives in Pakistan—living near the Line of Control—have been especially distressed by the recent escalation, and in such times, the compassionate message of solidarity and friendship from her Indian friend Ritu was deeply comforting.
Ritu, in turn, says that Aimen is one of her dearest friends, and that their shared cultural heritage has drawn them remarkably close.
Ritu Sharma is an Indian-origin civil society activist
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