Gandhian and freedom fighter, Nirmala Despande, reiterated her call for a peaceful approach to end the indo-Pak discord.  

At a 'meet the press' programme organised by the Press Club, Hyderabad, here on Wednesday, Ms. Despande said her visits to Pakistan had reinforced her belief that people on both sides of the border wanted peaceful co-e) dstence. There were more pressing problems for them rather than the necessity of an armed conflict, she said. 

Ms. Despande said there could be no guarantee of a 'limited war' as the use of nuclear arms would wipe out both the countries. In- stead of spending vast amounts on accumulating arms and ammunition, both the countries should strive to better the lives of people by providing them the basic needs.    

Ms. Despande said both the countries were on the verge of a catastrophe and it should be avoided. Gen. Pervez Musharraf was all for peace and had assured her that he preferred talks to bullets. Hence, India too should ex- tend a hand of friendship, she said.