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ZHOB: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has invited India to hold dialogue with Pakistan on all issues, saying the two countries cannot live as enemies.
“Pakistan and India will have to resolve all issues amicably and in a comprehensive way,” he said while addressing a foundation stone-laying ceremony for the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project here on Wednesday.
The route will cover Zhob-Mughal Kot (N-50) and Qila Saifullah-Wagum (N-70).
The prime minister said National Security Adviser Nasser Janjua had held meetings with Indian officials to discuss issues and conflicts between the two countries.
He said that during Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad it had been decided that the two countries would restart dialogue on all issues. “Pakistan and India will have to create a friendly environment to resolve their issues,” he said, adding that all disputes and conflicts anywhere in the world were resolved through talks.
In this context, he had a word of praise for US President Barack Obama over the nuclear deal with Iran. “Wisdom and tolerance help in resolving conflicts.”
The prime minister thanked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for visiting Lahore and spending some time with him.
Link with Europe
Pakistan would build a railway track to connect itself with Europe via Afghanistan and Central Asia so that “our goods trains could go to that continent”.
Mr Sharif said he, along with the presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan and the vice president of India, had laid the foundation stone of the Tapi gas project. The pipeline would help meet the natural gas requirement of the countries involved.
The project would be completed in four years and help end gas loadshedding in the country, he added.
He said Balochistan was rich in natural resources and its people had the first right on these. He said he wanted promotion of education, provision of health facilities and development of agricultural and industrial sectors in the province.
The prime minister offered the peasants of Balochistan federal government’s loans for installing solar-powered tube wells to irrigate their fields.
He said Gwadar would be connected with Central Asia through road and rail links. He recalled that the previous PML-N government had built the Gwadar coastal highway.
He directed the National Highway Authority to upgrade the highway to a motorway.
Mr Sharif said the CPEC would bring prosperity to Balochistan and open doors of development and job opportunities.
All political leaders and other stakeholders would have to play their role in the country’s development, the prime minister emphasised. “CPEC will end backwardness and poverty in Pakistan by bringing progress and prosperity to our people.”
The prime minister congratulated Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Balochistan Assembly Speaker Rahila Hameed Durrani on assuming charge of their offices and wished them well.
Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2015
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Comments (83) Closed
Dec 31, 2015 07:52am
So true... but so difficult to attain!..
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Dec 31, 2015 07:52am
Actions not words, please.
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Dec 31, 2015 07:54am
Its time we wake up and see that the world has moved on. If we want stability then Pakistan and India need to collaborate and move on from the past. Kashmir is a piece of land that historically was been the sticking point. The truth is that this barren piece of land is non productive and is a while Elephant for both. Time to formalize the current border and close the issue.
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Dec 31, 2015 08:13am
Kudos!! Somehow I feel that one day we will resolve all issues .... Best of luck!!
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Dec 31, 2015 08:18am
I am beginning to like Nawaz Sharif. As a person of Indian origin, I very much hope that PM Modi and PM Sharif are able to create history that brings down all the barriers between the two countries. People of Pakistan and India, both deserve to live in peace and prosperity. Both countries have so much to offer each other. It is such a shame that the last 70 years were lost in needless fighting with each other.
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Dec 31, 2015 08:21am
I want to give credit to Nawaz Shariff here. He was persistent and pressed for dialogue with India even when it was not a popular thing in Pakistan. On our side only BJP can make peace with Pakistan, so good luck to both sides.
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Dec 31, 2015 08:26am
Good gesture!!. But the reality (truth) is that it would be "almost" impossible to implement!!..
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Dec 31, 2015 08:40am
So true but sir, for every success you will not get the credit and failure you will always be blamed. For the sake of the country you should continue your efforts. People will understand you, if not today, definitely in future.
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Dec 31, 2015 08:48am
Good approach. Let us be positive and let the debris of the past be history!
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Dec 31, 2015 09:01am
Chalo Settle this once and for all. Make LOC as the international border. PM NS sahib, Modi ji has his eyes on the nobel peace prize. Grab this opportunity and become a Nobel Laureate yourself as well.
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Dec 31, 2015 09:11am
There is only one way to install peace between two countries and that is complete elimination of radical elements. We often notice that when peace process continues, border tension immediately rises. Also occurrence of terrorist attacks dramatically increase. Both the nations must find it's cause and move forward.
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Dec 31, 2015 09:14am
As an Indian, I wish all our Pakistani brothers an sisters a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR !
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Dec 31, 2015 09:23am
No one should live as an enemy!Then only one can realize true potential of hid/her existence.
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Dec 31, 2015 09:23am
Constructing roads on disputed land will only add to chaos.
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Dec 31, 2015 09:27am
on this very +ve and encouraging gesture from PM NS I would like to say a very happy new year to entire Pakistan ..hoping that both PMs MR. NM and NS can bring peace, friendly and cooperative atmoaphere in regard to bilateral issues between two nations and in the following year .
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Dec 31, 2015 09:55am
PM Nawaz really tried hard for this day. I give 80% credit to him.
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Dec 31, 2015 10:02am
And it is un advisable to suggest living two enemies in disguise of two friends...
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Dec 31, 2015 10:12am
Not like enemies atleast if we live like business minded people so that both side can be benefitted.
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Dec 31, 2015 10:13am
Let us make it our new year resolve. Nice to see positive comments from Indian readers too. Let's also resolve not to change with govt moods and always urge for better relations among our countries
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Dec 31, 2015 10:28am
Increase tourism.
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Dec 31, 2015 10:37am
Waiting for reply from Indian PM ...
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Dec 31, 2015 10:43am
@Rahul There is nothing that is too difficult to attain. Where there is will there is way. Being good friendly neighbors is a win win situation for both countries.
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Dec 31, 2015 10:53am
@Sachin
yah you are right .... Increase tourism not terrorism
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Dec 31, 2015 11:11am
@citizen And thank Modi who helped Nawaz to accomplish that visiting Lahore to celeberate his birthday and attend his granddaughter's wedding.
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Dec 31, 2015 11:14am
We must move in small steps at a time.A single leap has so far nose-dived straight and created more hurdles. Let us talk about a moratorium as the first step.
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Dec 31, 2015 11:26am
I am starting to like Mr.Nawaz Sharif and Mr.Modi like never before. This is just a beginning, great way to go!
I WISH ALL PAKISTANIS A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! :) :)
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Dec 31, 2015 11:29am
Having lived in the West for a large part of my life and my business partner and one of my oldest friends being Indian, and having met a lot of hindus and Indians from minority backgrounds I’ve always been optimist about India-Pakistan relation, perhaps a common Indian would want the same what a common Pakistani would like i.e. to solve the Kashmir issue, stop interfering in the internal politics of both the countries and have a friendly bilateral relationship.
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Dec 31, 2015 11:36am
There is a need to estimate the real cost to the common man of India and Pakistan in maintaining the enemy status for 68 years. The results would would be mind-blowing because, without it, People of India and Pakistan would have been much ahead in prosperity than the people of China, Malaysia and even S.Korea.
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Dec 31, 2015 12:03pm
What a brainer after 68 years.
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Dec 31, 2015 12:16pm
I agree with NS completely but to achieve this the spirit should be there. Kashmir is a stale mate issue for both and it will be wise to convert the current boundary as an international border. Even after if this is agreed the spirit is important otherwise encouraging the terrorists outfits will spoil the pact.
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Dec 31, 2015 12:43pm
They can't but they have been living for last sixty eight years.
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Dec 31, 2015 12:46pm
Both India and Pak withdraw forces from Siachen. India keep her part of Kashmir and Pak hers. Sir Creek should be prioritized. Free trade is the need of an hour. India being the big bro set-up industries in Pakistan. Like NATO there should be a mutual force from three countries like PAK-IND-AFGHANISTAN as EATO as Eastern Alliance Treaty Organization to fight on terror so that events like Mumbai Attack, Peshawer attack will never happen.
Problem Solved!
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Dec 31, 2015 12:53pm
100% correct. We should certainly get inspiration from US-Iran N.Deal and European Union. TAPI can do a lot in this regard. I request all to please support Honourable PMs of Pakistan and India in their endeavor with respect to peace process. They need support (and vetting) from common people of their respective countries.
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Dec 31, 2015 12:54pm
@Sanjeev. A Happy New Year to you and to all our dear Indian neighbors, may there be peace, prosperity, and most of all may common sense prevail.
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Dec 31, 2015 12:57pm
I wish pakisthan joint hand with India and work together in all sectors. people of both countries they are same blood. Do tourism not Terrorism. Economy increase and poverty disappear all are interest of the both countries people. PEACE PEACE PEACE.
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Dec 31, 2015 12:58pm
Nawaz Sharif's statement and Modi's sudden visit to Pakistan raises hopes of improvement in relationship between the two neighbours who were on the verge of a war like situation a few months back. However, it is too early predict the final outcome of the forthcoming talks as its success will solely depend on the powerful Pak establishment.
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Dec 31, 2015 01:08pm
Only after vested interests in both countries agree and then there will be peace.
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Dec 31, 2015 01:11pm
@Jay This barren piece should not be industrialised instead it should be developed as a tourism hotspot.In such a scenario all three stake holders India,Pakistan and the people of Kashmir will benefit.
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Dec 31, 2015 01:21pm
@Jay Kashmir is not only a piece of land but its a place where Kashmiri people lives.So let them decide their future.India and Pakistan should play a positive and neutral role for the peace and prosperity in the region.
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Dec 31, 2015 01:21pm
Open up the borders, and let the people just walk across, like going to your neighbors home for gup shup, this is the way both our countries can and should do. Other countries do that, why cannot Pakistan and India?, we are one, and will always be one.
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Dec 31, 2015 01:30pm
Once the issues solved ( at least major ones) Instead of developing missile, We can develop bullet trains which can develop our economy...
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Dec 31, 2015 01:30pm
This is wise statement by elected prime minister of Pakistan. Fighting with India will never help common Pakistanis. There are many things to gain from the powerful economy of India and secular vibrate culture of Hinduism.
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Dec 31, 2015 01:36pm
Happy new year to all... May NS words got true in 2016...... Anshuman Verma, India
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Dec 31, 2015 02:10pm
"Pakistan would build a railway track to connect itself with Europe via Afghanistan and Central Asia so that “our goods trains could go to that continent”
Goods made in where? Seems Chinese goods only ferried across the trains made in China and running on Pakistani land.Period.
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Dec 31, 2015 02:10pm
Mr PM you are a statesman and you realize the importance of prosperity for common man. On a high level if South Asia can open up among ourselves Kashmir will be no brainier doesn't matter who controls it. The whole area will be like Euro zone and we all can prosper.
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Dec 31, 2015 02:23pm
I thought only Americans know on how to do business. We are learning and learning quickly.
With the business requirements, this looks certain to be feasible :-)
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Dec 31, 2015 02:37pm
We cannot gift enimty to our up coming generations. Peace nd friendship with neighbours is the only solution to all problems. The world has other major problems to face for survival, India and Pakistan are very efficient nations who are wasting their incredible efforts planning against each other. Since 1947 we are fighting , lets try peace once.
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Dec 31, 2015 02:39pm
@Ajay
My dear friend across the border,
I wish you the same and best wishes for our future as good and friendly neighbors!
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Dec 31, 2015 02:46pm
@Jay
Unresolved K issue will remain a hurdle in the way of achieving full peace, thanks to the length of time it has persisted causing wars. It certainly is a difficult but not impossible problem and can be tackled with some long term mechanism if not immediate resolution. Formalizing borders is no solution.
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Dec 31, 2015 03:13pm
My best wishes to all Pakistani readers and friends for the new year, and sincerely hope that the new year will bring both countries together and peace would prevail forever.
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Dec 31, 2015 03:18pm
I wish all my Pakistani & Indian Friends a Happy and Prosperous new year 2016 !!! Hopefully some Good and Surprise news awaits citizen of both countries in the year 2016 !!!Best wishes to NS & NM !!!
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Dec 31, 2015 03:36pm
well said mr.farooqi. nice to hear this type of suggestion from your side
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Dec 31, 2015 03:53pm
Keep India at arms length at this point in time, and focus on implementing CPEC on war footing, connect Pakistan to China-Russia-central Asia and then see how India come knocking on our door. We can then have deals on our terms which will also involve the reversal of Indian sponsored terrorism in Pakistan.
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Dec 31, 2015 03:55pm
besy wishes ...pak india..... let us focus to fight our common enemy ..poverty .
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Dec 31, 2015 04:14pm
I am very very happy to read the statement of PM NS and comments of people from both sides. long live peace and happy new year to whole of subcontinent
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Dec 31, 2015 04:20pm
the biggest issue is how can Pakistan and India curtail the military expenses... let us begin with no war pack... let the money be spent on public welfare . let us give them education, health, eliminate poverty... once we attain that automatically everything will fall in its proper perspective...his tell us war has never resolved any problem... peace and prosperity has... The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.
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Dec 31, 2015 04:49pm
It only needs few good words about the other from PMs of each country to turn their entire nation positive towards other..but unfortunately they do it only when it suits them politically...this will continue as long as Govt of both countries are created by the vote of poor and uneducated....
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Dec 31, 2015 04:52pm
Too much in common, too much in history, too much in heritage, - Too much to gain if wisdom is practised!
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Dec 31, 2015 05:18pm
It is along bumpy road we have to wait and see.
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Dec 31, 2015 06:33pm
we are too inocent or stupid to trust on them. they agreed to play cricket but denied at the end. no one can trust them specially Modi.
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Dec 31, 2015 07:03pm
Sharif and Modi should be jointly awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2016.
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Dec 31, 2015 07:52pm
after a very very long time i have seen +ve views from both the sides. please keep it up. let us start a new era of development in SAARC. hApPY Neω YEAR
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Dec 31, 2015 08:03pm
Nawaz Sharif's deliberation gives a cue. Not only USA,Russia directs India specially to Modi to charter a new course with Pakistan.Another rail- road besides Turkey's under water newly built land connection with Europe is offing, as says Prime Minister Sharif.That was one of the reasons behind the Modi's organised gimmick over Lahore visit.Probably, Pakistan holds the most important geopolitical position in the SAARC region now.
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Dec 31, 2015 08:31pm
@Avijit Roy Isupport.
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Dec 31, 2015 08:46pm
Janab Modi Sahib demonstrate a strong leadership during his recent visit. Now time for
both leaders to find a common grounds to work that will be best interest of peoples of India and Pakistan. Happy New Year to all.
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Dec 31, 2015 09:43pm
so true....we have been living in enmity for 68 years and it is time for both countries to come on one page for our future generations and leave an example for them - both countries should work together for peace and harmony and avoid the third forces interventions in our relationship
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Dec 31, 2015 09:55pm
Meh. I think I'm gonna vote Nawaz next election. He seems decent.
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Dec 31, 2015 10:04pm
Very sane and sound observation and one hopes it will be put into practice and not hijacked by reference to Kashmir- should be on he back-burner for sometime and handled desperately.
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Dec 31, 2015 11:10pm
action is louder than words..
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Jan 01, 2016 01:24am
Good intentions from NS .
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Jan 01, 2016 02:32am
Man dreamt that one day he can go to the moon. That became reality. Man dreamt one day he eradicate small pox. That became reality. All great achievements have come from dreams and hopes. On the last day of 2015 I predict that within a decade Indians and Pakistanis will visit each other easily as tourists, lay foundation of factories and industries in each others lands, and cut defence expenditure as peace dividend. Somehow I feel the right breeze is blowing for peace to ring out. From an Indian in US to all Indians and Pakistanis I wish you a Happy New Year!
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Jan 01, 2016 03:04am
What u mean
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Jan 01, 2016 04:11am
It is interesting to note the tone of all the comments. They are overwhelmingly positive.
This is what leadership can do. Mr. Sharif wants peaceful relationship with India. Mr. Modi dropped into see Mr. Sharif in Lahore. Suddenly, the tone changed in both countries.
There will be many a pitfalls on this path, but with EXPLICIT support of overwhelming Pakistanis and Indians anything is possible.
I hope 10 years from now, we can truly see a SAARC that is tightly integrated economically and aligned politically and militarily.
20 Years from now borders between these countries will become irrelevant.
35 Years from now SAARC can be and will be the biggest economic block in the world with a GDP of ~ $50+ Trillion.
By the end of this century, citizens of SAARC will have the highest living standards in the world with 50% of world's GDP.
All of this is possible and both Mr. Sharif and Mr. Modi have taken the initial steps towards this vision.
Godspeed Mr. Modi and Mr. Sharif!!! Godspeed!!!
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Jan 01, 2016 04:22am
@citizen :So you allot Modi 20%. When this idea fails, you will have to allot 80% responsibility to Nawaz,no?
According to you, India has only 20% investment and concomitant responsibility in and for Indo-Pak peace!
A little critical thinking would help!
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Jan 01, 2016 04:23am
@citizen : As a Pak citizen, how much credit do you take personally for helping Indo-Pak peace process?
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Jan 01, 2016 04:36am
@Farrukh Kiani : Actually, India and Pakistan should invest EQUAL amounts in joint ventures in each other's economy.
Create widely held ownership with common people's money.
Ordinary people need to feel and actually have fingers in the interantional pie--so they make every effort to protect their pie --instead of blowing it up!
Then each will have to make sure there is no sabotage and protect self-interest!
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Jan 01, 2016 08:22am
The benevolent action of PM Sahrif inviting PM Modi and the same for Modi to accept and go to Lahore to reopen a peace-oriented dialogue is a heartening event for the people of Pakistan and India. Said that the task to achieve peace is tough but doable and we don't have any choice but to work wholeheartedly towards it. Kashmir, obviously, is the most difficult. I don't know if there is any other solution other than making LOC the international border. Perhaps others can come up with a better solution that is acceptable to all. Another difficulty lies in the terrorist acts committed by extremists. Another Mumbai can make any peace effort difficult, if not impossible. But whatever the difficulties, it is time that we learn to live as good neighbors and be friends. We must not live in the past conflicts abut look to live in a brighter future.
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Jan 02, 2016 01:16am
Peace is possible only if our governments act a bit mature.
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Jan 02, 2016 03:11am
@KM3 Just wait a minute, btw what India plan to export to Afghanistan? Looking at India's trade with China, the sheer volume of value-add component of the trade is staggering 8 to 1 in China's favor. Look at the number first or Afhganistan to have products specially made for Afghanistan we have never seen before? Be real and lets see what CPEC corridor will bring to Pakistan. I bet it will be win-win situation for Pakistan. FYI look at India BD trade they are beating India hands down in textile export.
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Jan 02, 2016 03:30am
@Farrukh Kiani Great ideas , good start would be to demilitaraze Siachin as first step, reduce tension and cross border firing along LOC with cross border check points for Kashmiris to travel and see what happens in short term.
Pakistan has to set a better example in many area the foremost is the protection (specially Hindus) of its minorities by banning those so-called "religious outfits and parties" , throw their workers and leaders behind bars.Declare war against terrorism and these parties. Improved secuity environment will tell the world that we are serious and even we don't make progress it will be good for Pakistan's image. NO such thing as good or bad taliban.They are all bad and must be dealt with severely. Does NS has the courage to do that? Or he is all talk?
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Jan 02, 2016 01:13pm
G.T.Road was built without corruption by Sher Shah Suri,and we hope to see in future Muhammed Nawaz Sharif name in reference to so many highways and CPEC built without corruption. Then only the name of Muhammed Nawaz Sharif will appear in history as honest great builder like Sher Shah Suri, the golden words in history will be a source of rememberance of Muhammed Nawaz Sharif if he just feel the pulse of today's Pakistani and act accordingly.
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Jan 03, 2016 12:24pm
Pathankot will be avenged with interest just wait and watch.
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Jan 03, 2016 12:57pm
MR. NAWAB SHARIF is a sincere PM of Pakistan and mr. modi , pm of india should never loose this opportunity to resolve all issues so that both countries can prosper.
let us wish these pms to forge ahead
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