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| 01 March 2004 | Monday | 09 Muharram 1425 |
Dialogue with India will be meaningful: PM
ISLAMABAD, Feb 29: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said Pakistan-India dialogue will reach a positive end. In an interview with an Indian weekly Frontline last week the prime minister had said
that the talks would be meaningful and the core issue of Kashmir would be resolved.
He said: "Of course, the core issue of Kashmir will be resolved. In this region, Kashmir is a problem. The Kashmiris need a helping hand. We are trying to contribute so that this issue is settled - it is in the interest of humanity."
About showing flexibility in the talks, he said for a better future both the sides would have to sacrifice their ego. Replying a question considering India an enemy after the recent peace overtures, he said: "I have always said that we are enemies to none - that was my speech to parliament. And we expect no one to be our enemy.
"There are some issues that need to be discussed and resolved, but we have no enmity with anyone. We have no reason for it. But if someone tries to compress us, we won't allow that."
When asked how does his government look at the Kashmir movement, Mr Jamali said: "Every person has a right to one's freedom. We have been giving Kashmiris diplomatic and moral support. Kashmiris are the best people to decide.
"They (Kashmiris) are suffering. That is why, in the interest of humanity, this issue must be resolved in a decent and honourable way." The prime minister said: "We want peace - whether it comes from Pakistan's side or the Indian side. If it is up to the satisfaction of the Kashmiris, it will be a worthwhile effort. If something is leading to peace, that is enough."
About apprehension regarding the secretary-level talks that the bureaucracy would sabotage the peace process, Mr Jamali said: "It were government-to-government and not person-to-person talks.
"It is only a start. This is level-I. Level-II will be the ministerial-level and level-III will be the chief executives- level, whatever the case may be. I see no reason why people think that bureaucracy would sabotage it. I trust my team.
"As far as we are concerned, we are positive. Even India needs peace. Nobody wants war. War is no solution to any problem. It is peace, dialogue and the convincing power, which has to make a breakthrough."-APP
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