Ferozepur, Dec. 25 : The current tension between India and Pakistan following the terror attacks in Mumbai has given plenty of ammunition to the Punjabi Durbar programme of Radio Pakistan.

The Punjabi Durbar programme has been drumming statements that Pakistan is ready for a war.

The broadcasts are silent on facts that indicate that elements from Pakistan were responsible for the violence in Mumbai. Instead, the Punjabi Durbar programme has been stating that India has been conspiring against Pakistan.

People living in Punjab are not perturbed. They feel that India is strong enough to repel any attack, but is keen not to provoke Pakistan. But many are disappointed that Pakistan has not taken steps to take its population in confidence.

"India had lots of hopes with the formation of a democratic government and end of former Army General Pervez Mussharaf''s presidential rule in Pakistan. India-Pakistan relations should have improved but there has been no progress," said Sarabjit Singh, Head of the History department at Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College in Abhohar.

"The people of Pakistan and India were looking for normalization of relations. The way the things were progressing --like releasing of prisoners from the jails in Pakistan and opening of bus, train transport and trade services-raised many hopes. But instead of moving forward, relations are going backward," Sarabjit added.

"If we see the history between India and Pakistan, till now three wars have been fought. We won all of them. Both in 1965 and 1971 India returned the areas it had occupied. From the very beginning India has helped Pakistan," said Makhan Singh, a farmer in Rajyawali Village, Abohar.

People in India are confident that the Indian Army is strong enough to defend its borders. If a war breaks out, it would cause damage to Pakistan. It would be in the interest of India and Pakistan that both countries should co-exist and strive for the development of the sub-continent.

"It is time Pakistan controlled militancy within its territory. International assistance will help Pakistan to end the problem of militancy," said a local resident.

The baseless allegation made by the Punjabi Durbar programme will only increase the tension along the border. Instead of living in peace people on both sides of the border areas will not trust each other. (ANI)