On World Peace Day, a new song shows friendship transcends Pakistan-India ire

This International Peace Day, singer Ali Aftab Saeed and Indian filmmaker Aarti Shrivastava have worked together to bring to us a new anthem of Pak-India friendship, titled ‘Na Rokay Koi’.

Through this musical medium, Ali and Aarti have told a simple story of two college friends who parted ways to return to their home countries.

But a wedding convinces Zahra, the friend from Pakistan, to reunite with her Indian friend. Leaving a note for her father, she packs up and heads out to the other side of the border.

Zahra receives a warm welcome in Amritsar, and goes to the site of Jalianwala Bagh massacre as well as a Gurdwara where an elderly Sikh helps her cover her head with a handkerchief. The simple lyrics written by Shakeel Sohail talk about the many similarities between the two nations:

Sochon k angan me deewar dekhi hai

Apni he parchai us paar dekhi hai

Who dhoop who kirnen, who rung phoolon k

Apne se lagte hain who raag sanson k

Inko na rokay koi

Inko koi na rokay

The song ends on a jovial note when Zahra finally gets to see her friend dressed up as a bride.

In light of the recent skirmishes on the border, it's heartening to see Pakistani and Indian artistes making a combined effort for peace.