All the right thinking citizens in India and Pakistan whole-heartedly appreciate Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali for his commendable offer of ceasefire along the international Border, Line of Control and Actual Ground Position Line in Jammu and Kashmir. In its "positive response" when India extended the ceasefire to Siachen glacier, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri quickly responded and said that his country's ceasefire offer also included Siachen. This is really a progressive and remarkable development in the recent past and the peace loving citizenry of both countries only wish that it is properly capitalized on and taken forward to a logical conclusion.

The Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan have agreed to observe the ceasefire. After announcing his unilateral offer of ceasefire, Pakistan Prime Minister rightly said that "without India's positive response to his announcement, his step (offer of ceasefire) will be incomplete". He should also make sure that there are no more infiltration of terrorists across the border as otherwise India cannot stick to its counter offer of ceasefire. Having said that India would and should exercise caution in countering the infiltrators especially in the wake of reports that suggest Kashmir figures in the hit list of Al Quaeda, India should be targeting only the infiltrators and desist form attacking Pakistani army and military posts. India can not be callous as there have been several intelligence reports in the recent times about terrorists grouping across the border waiting to infiltrate into the Jammu area.

As a logical next step in order to consolidate the good will gestures from both the sides, the technical dialogue between the two countries should be initiated without wasting time. The new bus and rail routes should be started as suggested by India. The talks should be focused on a new rail/bus link between Khokrapar (Sindh) and Munabao (Rajasthan), and Srinagar-Muzaffarabad . With regard to the other modes of travel between the two counties, a ferry service between Mumbai and Karachi, and restoring civil aviation links should be given priority. Also we should resume talks on the Samjhauta Express and aim to increase the number of buses on the Delhi-Lahore route in stead of restricting to a symbolic bus service. The broadcasting of each other's television channels in both countries is very important in order to avoid the poisoning of peoples' mind with the so-called State's version (read 'jingoistic views') on each side.

Our Prime Minister should participate in the upcoming SAARC meeting hosted by Pakistan and confirm the hope of Pakistani's that India and in particular he is very much committed to cementing the positive feelings of people across the border. With the Indian Cricket team planning a tour in Pakistan early next year, things seem to move towards normalized relations between the two countries. It is important for us to retrieve the last grounds before we embark onto official level dialogues. The last grounds are communication and travel links that can promote tourism and boost economic relations, lack of cultural and science exchanges, visits of sports teams, positive atmosphere for trade and economy, and the lack of continuity in dialogues between political leaders and officials. There is no doubt that the good will and positive gesture of our Prime Minister has earned a rich dividend but this should not stop at this level but should be consolidated further. If there is a problem there ought to be a solution. And for our bilateral problems there are solutions. We should earnestly and with open mind search for those solutions. Definitely a ray of hope is seen at the end of the tunnel. Let us move ahead with hope!