ISLAMABAD April 15: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said on Tuesday that Pakistan was ready to resume talks with India in the interest of peace and tranquillity in the region.
Talking to reporters in his chamber and at the Balochistan House, the premier, when asked to comment on a recent statement of his Indian counterpart, Atal Behari Vajpayee, said the Indian intentions towards Pakistan had never been good.
He, however, stated that Pakistan, as a peace-loving and responsible state, would not react in the manner the Indian leadership was reacting and it was ready to resume bilateral talks to end hostility.
“Islamabad, though open to dialogue with Delhi, will not compromise on principles of self-respect and sovereignty and if the other side is not interested we are equally not,” the premier declared.
He made it clear that India under the prevalent conditions ought to change its attitude towards Pakistan as extremism would not benefit either side.
To a query he said the opposition politicians were at present adding more confusion to the situation instead of resolving it. “If it [the opposition] is sincere in strengthening democracy, it should change its attitude and come to dialogue,” said the prime minister.
Responding to a query about a recent statement of MMA leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed on the LFO, the prime minister regretted the harsh position taken by the opposition which he said was harmful for everyone.
Talking about the increasing rate of unemployment and his Monday’s directives, disallowing premature retirement of surplus pool government employees, the premier said he had taken the decision in good faith and in the larger interest of the people.
Earlier, speaking at the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q and its allies’ meeting at the parliament house the prime minister urged the opposition to avoid the policy of confrontation on the issue of Legal Framework Order.
