No 'structured meeting' between Nawaz and Modi, says Sartaj
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KATHMANDU: Though Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have been under one roof at the Saarc Summit, Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday dismissed chances of any “structured meeting” between the two.
Briefing newsmen accompanying the prime minister to the summit, Aziz said the two leaders would again be in one room on Thursday. He, however, categorically dismissed chances of any formal meeting.
Sartaj Aziz regretted that the momentum initiated during the prime minister's visit to New Delhi was not maintained by India.
Pakistan expressed its “displeasure” over the “unilateral cancellation” of foreign secretary-level talks and said it was always ready for dialogue, but wanted India to take the initiative, as it was the one who called off the scheduled talks.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his way to Kathmandu said the ball was now in India's court for the resumption of talks.
Read also: India should take initiative to resume talks: PM
Sharif, who flew into the Nepalese capital on Tuesday, arrived hours after the Indian prime minister had landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
Both the leaders are staying at Soaltee Crowne Plaza Hotel and were at the same venue during the opening of the 18th Summit.
They will be again together at the Megha Malhar Banquet Hall during the cultural event and banquet by the Nepalese prime minister.
However, a senior diplomat said there were no chances of serious discussions.
The Saarc leaders will also be meeting informally on Thursday at the retreat planned at Dhulikhel, 30 kilometres from Kathmandu.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (83) Closed
Nov 26, 2014 10:10pm
Ok Mr. Sartaj Aziz. Which part of "We won't meet you if you meet the hurryiat leaders" don't you understand. Quit bending over backwards for a meeting. If you took a stand with Kashmiris then stick to it. If they don't want to meet then so be it unless NS and Modi want to discuss private business opportunities. No one in Pakistan cares if you meet Modi or not.
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Nov 26, 2014 10:11pm
Modi should have shown more positive gesture.
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Nov 26, 2014 10:13pm
India [Modi] is being arrogant. Incredible is already turning into incredulous, and soon will be impossible.
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Nov 26, 2014 10:14pm
I think there is no point having too many meetings between the two countries to solve Kashmir Issue.
Kashmir problem cannot be solved as it is a politically motivated problem people use it only for personal gain.
Time to look forward & put all the energy for the growth& development of the country.
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Nov 26, 2014 10:18pm
I don't think any meeting was expected by either of the countries.
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Nov 26, 2014 10:22pm
As if saarc is built only to initiate resumption of talks between these two
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Nov 26, 2014 10:42pm
Wait till Morning, Pakistan FO spokeswoman will be issuing another version contradicting the Sartaj Aziz version..
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Nov 26, 2014 10:43pm
Thank God. Otherwise it would be a PM business deal. nothing else he can concern about Pakistan
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Nov 26, 2014 10:52pm
SAARC is made for betterment of entire region ... and not just a forum for setteling the dispute of two countries..
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Nov 26, 2014 10:55pm
I dont know why Mr Modi is testing the circumstances...
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Nov 26, 2014 11:06pm
Pakistan blocked 3 important deal on SAARC.
It seems that Pakistan uses SAARC for internal politics and raising kashmir issues.
He should know that SAARC is multilateral forum where sensitive issues are not raised
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Nov 26, 2014 11:20pm
Mr. Modi needs to take down the 'Saffron Wall' that he has constructed.
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Nov 26, 2014 11:27pm
Please don't plead for meeting.
Imbibe self respect .
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Nov 26, 2014 11:27pm
Well its been a befitting reply to stubborn Indian mentality, Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris ask them before we decide who should keep it.
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Nov 26, 2014 11:42pm
@sam disband SAARC.anything with India in it, it becomes poisonous.
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Nov 26, 2014 11:51pm
Why is Nawaz Sharif so desperate in meeting Narendra Modi or shaking hand with him. Are there bottle necks in his personal businesses in India
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Nov 26, 2014 11:55pm
SAARC meant for regional cooperation and economy not discuss disputes. having said that Modi should have had a normal hand shake meaning business as usual at an important stage while being still firm on India's stand.
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Nov 27, 2014 12:09am
NA and N.modi both are arrogant PMs.
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Nov 27, 2014 12:19am
@sam What no-sense! SAARC is a useless org. that for years Bharat has tried to use to gain a big brother hegemonic status. waste of money and time. Pakistan does not need it and should not be in it. Is there an org. with more dysfunctional membership?
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Nov 27, 2014 12:20am
@Zak talk about ur self. With pak or Without it, SAARC will prevail. And is when that you will realise, How wrong u were, about Modi and rest of Indians.
Save this prediction as my assessment of you and ur attitude, Because god don't want ur excuse that u were not intimidated of ur dark days of salvation.
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Nov 27, 2014 12:41am
Pathetic politicians both country's.
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Nov 27, 2014 12:48am
If problems are reason for stopping talks,then problems are reason for talks. Stopping dialogue doesn't solve problems. India and Pakistan lost a good opportunity to normalize relations due to prevailing egos.
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Nov 27, 2014 12:54am
@Laddoo We place more priorities on Kashmir and our allies there than we do on india. Therefore our meeting with Kashmiri nationalist leaders was a wise one, and such moves will continue.
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Nov 27, 2014 01:21am
@Adeel Yup like Sindh belongs to Sindhis and Baluchistan belongs to Balochs. Heck, like Afghanistan belongs to Afghan? Not sure what are you trying to say.
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Nov 27, 2014 01:55am
It's better if they stay apart for the time being.
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Nov 27, 2014 01:58am
true leadership has no egos - both PMs can do better
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Nov 27, 2014 02:00am
It is nice to see traditional Regional Names of the Venues. A perfect example of local history untainted by Islamic and Western influences as seen in other parts of the sub-continent.
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Nov 27, 2014 02:07am
Mr Sharif it will be better if you concentrate on counter insurgency, starvation and polio in your own country rather then to waste national exchequer on Modi
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Nov 27, 2014 02:31am
Why is Sharif begging for a meeting with Indian PM? This man has no self-respect! And what exactly is he trying to achieve from the meeting? Improve relationship with India? Let it go buddy!!! Please get back home and resolve our domestic issues.
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Nov 27, 2014 02:41am
No need for such meetings until hate and animosity between average public is cleared.
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Nov 27, 2014 04:13am
This is perfect. Nothing has been achieved through meetings with Pakistan. Nothing will be achieved. India should go her own path. Pakistan should also go her own path. End of story. Dialogue is unncesssary and irrelevant between these two countries.
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Nov 27, 2014 04:44am
What's all this nonsense? Why can't we all stop this blame game? Why can't we all just get along? South Asia has so much potential but unfortunately our leaders just can't see past petty politics!
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Nov 27, 2014 04:53am
If Nawaz meets Modi then PM seat in Pakistan will be modified by carpenters from Rawalpindi.
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Nov 27, 2014 04:59am
No structured meeting with Indian counterpart perhaps he realizes that Nawaz Shariff and his 80+ foreign advisor are good for nothing, even his visit to London on which precious foreign exchange was waisted went unnoticed, the Prime Minister should be made accountable the death of more than 100 children in Thar and in Punjab these deaths are in additions to the terrorist activities of PML-N government in Lahore. All his trips results in wastage of tax payers money for which he is accountable.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:03am
Hope Pakistan will focus on regional development and sign all agreements for infrastructure development which are already accepted by other nations.SAARC is not just Pakistan and India, it covers 8 nations located in South Asia. Issues between India and Pakistan can be taken up at bilateral level. Other nations should not be held captive.If Pakistan becomes an obstacle in the growth and development of South Asia region, other nations will co-operate at bilateral level for all development projects and Pakistan will be left out and isolated.Pakistan needs to act in constructive way to earn respect.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:07am
@Sonny Afridi and you saw how effectively election boycott called by your friends worked. Keep taking with your friends, Kashmiris are moving forward.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:09am
@Khan well said Mr Khan. We are always friends.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:14am
@Adeel Kashmiris replied to your query in election.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:17am
Alrite.. I take the 1st step forward - "I invite you to Delhi on ------- date". You take one step by saying "We will not meet the separtists".. How about this Pak?
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Nov 27, 2014 05:22am
Why is the Pakistani govt even hoping or expecting a meeting between Modi & Nawaz? The Indian govt told them clearly "Either talk with us or with the separatists". They chose the separatists & that's fine with India but then why do they expect India to back off from its stance? It looks like Pakistan is trying to have its cake & eat it too.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:25am
why beat around bush? There simply is no solution for Kashmir. Pakistan explored all avenues and nothing worked. It should look at what is more practical solution, that is to make some financial deal.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:34am
For Pakistan only "Kashmir" is important issue, for them it doesn't matter what bad they have done to others. JK people are far happy than people in your state. U can see number of voters turnout for this election.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:34am
@Naxalite for how long?
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Nov 27, 2014 05:36am
@Zak ditto with Pakistan.. the world is an example..
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Nov 27, 2014 05:43am
@Laddoo actually I agree with you for the first time.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:45am
@Zak please see the latest updates, it is Pakistan that is holding up 3 proposals.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:54am
Mr.Sartaj Aziz is a walking & talking advertisement of terrorists and a shame to humanity.
He representing his nation in any forum is shameful for the nation.
Till what time Pakistan has to bear with such people.
God bless Pakistan.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:55am
@Naxalite Modi already showing positiveness with his work for India & Indians.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:58am
@Adeel Balochistan belongs to Balochis ask them before we decide who should keep it.
Sind belongs to Sindhis ask them before we decide who should keep it.
Waziristan belongs to Pakhtoons ask them before we decide who should keep it.
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Nov 27, 2014 05:59am
@Zak If Pakistan don't want then why they aren't step out from SAARC?
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Nov 27, 2014 06:12am
come 30th Nov, NS will be looking for asylum in Saudi....
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Nov 27, 2014 06:33am
Have none of you noticed the date on which the Modi-Sharif talks were supposed to take place - 26th November ? This was the day of the Mumbai attacks. Given that this a very sensitive issue in India, would you honestly expect an Indian PM to meet his Pakistani counterpart on or even around that date ? A report in today's Indian papers says that Modi's secretariat in India had even started sending out feelers for talks before realization dawned. The question then is this: which idiot at the SAARC secretariat in Kathmandu planned the summit on these days ? Or was it deliberate sabotage ?
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Nov 27, 2014 06:50am
@yogi Fraud election and propaganda of BJP and only Hindus voters on the scene.
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Nov 27, 2014 06:54am
Pakistan didn't signed 3 trade agreements..! bad thing from Pakistan!
saarc is about development , not whose watching whom..!
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Nov 27, 2014 06:56am
@Zak Pakistan should be thrown away out of Saarc, they don't understand multilateral cooperation and understanding.they are a blockade to to Saarc.they stalled 3 agreements. They are isolated, and with this attitude, they would be further isolated even at South Asia.
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Nov 27, 2014 07:04am
Logical reasoning question:
Two countries A and B have internal problems. A likes to friend B's internal enemies and covertly supports it. On the face of it A accuses B of not talking to each but pursues malicious activities. What should B do?
1) Ignore A or 2) Close eyes and talk to A or 3) Complain at International fora or 4) Tit for tat A by supporting A's internal enemies.
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Nov 27, 2014 07:09am
@Zak. Please leave Saarc if you think Pakistan is not benefitting. The rest of us will then have accelerated economic growth even as Pakistan slips to stone age. Pakistan in Saarc today is like a stone around the neck that is being carried around.
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Nov 27, 2014 07:43am
I believe Balochistan had a referendum in 1948 in which they decided they'll go Pakistan.
NS has no clue what leadership is and Modi has blood on his hands. Its better they stay apart. That said, SAARC is a complete waste of an organization.
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Nov 27, 2014 07:53am
I don't understand why people are so excited about Modi not speaking a single word with Nawaz Sharif.
Even Manmohan Singh did that with Nawaz Sharif...and all other people.
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Nov 27, 2014 08:26am
@Denali The wall is necessary to keep the infiltrators from crossing over.
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Nov 27, 2014 08:31am
@Sonny Afridi . Decide what you want first. You talk about Kashmiri self determination and now Baby Bhutto talking about grabbing Kashmir. You want to decide the issue bilaterally and now go to UN. You sold part of Kashmir land to China. Why would Kashmiri trust you.
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Nov 27, 2014 08:44am
The world is bypassing South Asia because of stubborn attitude of these self proclaimed leaders and we continue to be embroiled in poverty, lawlessness and lack of vision.
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Nov 27, 2014 08:57am
Pakistan has fast drifted to a failed state. Solution is simple. Declare Pakistan a secular state, repeal Section 295C and seek big brother's support in eradicating fundamentalism.
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Nov 27, 2014 09:00am
@Kabir 5000 years more or till eternity. As indians are not going to back down, plus we have 1.3 billion people to support the cause if needed.
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Nov 27, 2014 09:12am
@Laddoo It sounds like Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle..
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Nov 27, 2014 09:22am
Indians are happy with Modi's wise decision, for not meeting Sharif on the sidelines of SAARC summit.
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Nov 27, 2014 09:33am
Pakistan has made a choice. They should continue meeting with Kashmiri separatists and Hafiz Sayeed.
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Nov 27, 2014 09:33am
@Laddoo - I guess you are a Pakistani, but I appreciate your comments and applaud you. Well said. Nawaz Sharif is trying too talk to Modi for two reasons. One, he is getting jittery because of Imran Khan and wants to play to a domestic audience. Two, he has major businesses which he thinks can make money by talking to India. Thats why he came to meet Naveen Jindal in New Delhi. Why should the PM of Pakistan come to the house of an Indian industrialist? There is protocol, decorum and diplomacy. He has lowered the stature of Pakistan by this greedy behaviour. As a concerned neighbour, I really pray that IK becomes the PM. He may have a hundred faults but at least he is honest and loves his country. IK ki neeyat theek hai.
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Nov 27, 2014 09:35am
@Denali - Modi has not raised the saffron wall. We the people of India have raised the saffron wall. Modi has our support and blessings.
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Nov 27, 2014 09:42am
@Khan Well said.I am an Indian and do not see why so much noise is being made out of this non-event.Both PMs have tremendous problems waiting for them back home.They can solve them without any participation or help of the other.
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Nov 27, 2014 09:44am
Nawaz Sharif recent statement to meet separatists leader before resuming talks became the stumbling block otherwise Indian PM was scheduled to meet his counterpart in Nepal. NS government has to follow an independent foreign policy failing which it will be completely isolated from rest of the world as the same is quite evident from the recent snubbing by UN, US and India..
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Nov 27, 2014 09:46am
Weldon Nawaz Sharif Sahib now you are doing the way people of Pakistan desired to do. There should be no dialogue till they realize the importance of respect.
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Nov 27, 2014 09:55am
The problem with Pakistan is that Pakistan attaches so much importance to Kashmir. Whatever Pakistan does, whether talking to Kashmiri separatists or push in more terrorists into India, Pakistan would not get an inch of Kashmir that is part of India. Having said that, I am of the opinion that India will also not get an inch of Kashmir belonging to Pakistan. The best thing is to consider LOC as the international border and stop claiming Kashmir (by either sides).
SAARC is an avenue for economic partnership and not to settle bilateral disputes. Even if Pakistan blocks the agreements that came up during the summit, India will go ahead with bilateral agreements with the other countries outside of SAARC. Prime Minister Modi was very categorical when he said "The bonds will grow, through SAARC or outside it. Among all of us or some of us".
India is moving ahead in cooperation with other member countries of SAARC. India is about to ink a deal with Myanmar to build a road all the way from West Bengal through Bangladesh, Myanmar and reaching Thailand. This is the sort of people to people cooperation that will be occurring in the years to come.
It would be unfortunate, if Pakistan is still fighting over Kashmir which is a foregone conclusion that neither India nor Pakistan will get an inch of extra land from the current status quo. Ultimately its Pakistan's economy and progress that would be affected when other neighboring countries would march developing ahead.
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Nov 27, 2014 09:57am
Thank god the meeting didn't happen. WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME FOR BOTH SIDES particularly when both countries are having problems that needs immediate attention.
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Nov 27, 2014 10:38am
@NORI
"If problems are reason for stopping talks,then problems are reason for talks. Stopping dialogue doesn't solve problems. India and Pakistan lost a good opportunity to normalize relations due to prevailing egos."
Modi did not allow his ego to come in his way in meeting Obama. He is just concerned about national interest. A lot of time has been invested in trying to resolve problems with Pakistan but as soon as things move forward, there is a derailment. Kargill, parliament attack, 26/11, soldier beheading, 5 soldiers ambushed and killed and so on. When army of one side wants to prevent resolution, no amount of talks will resolve problems. It is time o simply try containment of proxies. No peace talks does not mean war. Our PM is right to focus energies on India's development rather than wasting time on unproductive talks.
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Nov 27, 2014 10:44am
@Jeev "Alrite.. I take the 1st step forward - "I invite you to Delhi on ------- date". You take one step by saying "We will not meet the separtists".. How about this Pak?"
Unreasonable expectation. India HAD taken the one step forward. First invited Nawaz and also fixed foreign secretary level talks. It is Pakistan who does not want to give up confabulating with Hurriyat.
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Nov 27, 2014 10:52am
@shezad
"I believe Balochistan had a referendum in 1948 in which"
There was no referendum EVEN IN Punjab and Sind because referendum imlies universal adult franchise. Yes, Muslims of Punjab, Sind, Bengal voted in an election which was NOT a universal adult franchise. Only 15% people were entitled to vote. Muslims living in present day India were nt even asked the question whether they wanted Pakistan to be created. In NWFP, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan who was a Congress ally boycotted elections and there was a very small vote and even then Muslim league won marginally. Balochistan was not asked. It was annexed.
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Nov 27, 2014 10:57am
Pakistan does not need Modi. Stop eating dust to seek meetings.
His message stays - 'don't call us, we will call you'
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Nov 28, 2014 09:04am
@Badbyas best blabber from land of 'make believe'.
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Nov 28, 2014 09:08am
@Mohammed Abbasi - Good point. Even in disagreement, it doesn't hurt to smile or shake hands. The immaturity of these leaders in the SAARC summit is frustrating. Anyways...
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Nov 28, 2014 09:14am
@Gp65 wrong incorrect information from indian text books. All 4 provinces were asked to vote under British supervision. All voted for Pakistan. In India , one Raja decided for all. Only kashmir and junagarh manabao were left. Indians carried out fraud vote excluding British supervision and declared 60% in favour of India, but in kashmir they did not allow vote but one Hindu ruler to decide for 95% Muslims. Rest is history. Baluchistan voted for Pakistan, only khan of kalat deferred for a while fearing he would lose his ruler status. But he too agreed later. The south Asian sub continent should have been Pakistan and India another 10 independent countries. It was Patel the extremist interior minister of India, who kept sending troops and bullying states to force amalgamation into india. In India no one knows real history but manipulated history. Shame on you.
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Nov 28, 2014 10:29am
@zak you are not right, in ancient time Bharat was spread from Burma to Afganisthan
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Nov 29, 2014 04:57am
MR. NAWAZ is a powerless PM. Talking to him is a waste of time. Talk with the real rulers of Pakistan the Military and ISI
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