New Delhi: Making a strong pitch for lasting peace between India and Pakistan, former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf on Saturday exhorted the two countries to move beyond "the burden of history" and jointly combat common problems like extremism and terrorism.
"We must overcome the burden of history and move forward. The path of peace is the right course to adapt for India, Pakistan, the region and the world," he said.
Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan for nine years, was speaking on "Challenge of Change" at a conclave organised here by the India Today news magazine.
Pointing to the curse of extremism and terrorism that afflict both countries, Musharraf said he has come to India to prove a point that extremists will not be allowed to create obstacles in the path of peace between the two countries.
"I was advised against coming to India and against the negative reaction of extremists on both sides. I came here to prove a point that extremists must not have their way," he said.
"We the moderates must stand for the resolution of all disputes and issues between them. We must not allow extremists to create obstacles in the path of peace," he stressed.
Musharraf's presidential tenure saw the attack on the Indian parliament in 2001 that brought the two countries on the brink of a war. However, the second half of his tenure saw the resumption of the peace process and the launch of new cross-border bus and train links.
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