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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Shireen Mazari on Wednesday lashed out at British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, calling him “a foolish man” for saying the issue of Jammu and Kashmir should not be a pre-condition for resumption of India-Pakistan dialogue.
“We really don't need the British foreign secretary telling us how to conduct our relations with India. He should focus on his EU problem instead.”
Read: Kashmir cannot be precondition for Indo-Pak talks: British foreign secretary.
Hammond, who arrived on a two-day official visit to Islamabad on Tuesday, addressed a joint news conference with Aziz after his arrival.
Stressing that Kashmir should not be linked to talks with India, Hammond said an India-Pakistan dialogue is essential for long-term economic development, peace and security in the region.
"I must appreciate the beginning of investigation by Pakistan into the Pathankot attack," Hammond remarked.
In an outburst on Twitter, Mazari snubbed Hammond and said he should first ‘understand the history of Pakistan and India.’
The PTI chief whip in the National Assembly went on to say that Kashmir ‘defines the parameters of Indo-Pak relations.’
“Movement ‘forward’ stops when something happens in IOK [Indian occupied Kashmir]”
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (78) Closed
Mar 09, 2016 01:42pm
Totally agree, that's why I support PTI and want PML(N) gone.
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Mar 09, 2016 01:47pm
People of UK,US and entire world who do not realize the seriousness of Kashmir issue and its centrality to Pakistan should be educated by Pakistan through programmes funded by Pakistan govt ,Pakistan Embassies should chalk out solid plan to this effect.
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Mar 09, 2016 01:50pm
I think it's time the world give us respect and don't treat us we are nothing it's time Pakistan stand up for his self we are very beautiful country and people and the western world needs to respect Pakistan nice and stop blaming us of doing bad things and we need to tell our leaders don't sell ur self..come on Pakistan
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Mar 09, 2016 01:50pm
good reply
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Mar 09, 2016 01:51pm
Propaganda, watch your leader Imran khan old speech, what he is talking?
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Mar 09, 2016 01:51pm
Well said Ms. Mazari...
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Mar 09, 2016 02:03pm
Could not agree more. Maybe Hammond forgot that this isn't British India anymore.
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Mar 09, 2016 02:07pm
Right on Shireen Mazari!
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Mar 09, 2016 02:13pm
Good response.
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Mar 09, 2016 02:14pm
We want a strong response from our Foreign Ministry to British Secy's comments on Disputed Kashmir.
Ms. Mazari very accurately reflected the feelings of Pakistan. Thankyou Ms. Mazari.
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Mar 09, 2016 02:24pm
@Nadeem Government is too weak to comment on anything. They care more about their selfish motives than Pakistan
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Mar 09, 2016 02:33pm
@nac Paris If the current Government does not come up to people's expectations they will be voted out next elections. Till now they appear to me better than rest of the lot.
They must however take a strong stand on Kashmir. What are we talking if not Kashmir?
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Mar 09, 2016 02:38pm
It is very astonishing, how Sartaj Aziz listened to Mr. Hammond outrageous advise so silently and didn't utter a single word against it. He should have said something to counter it.
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Mar 09, 2016 02:43pm
It should be investigated, why Mr. Hammond comment like this. We have lost thousands of young people in two wars with India.
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Mar 09, 2016 02:47pm
I like Ms. Mazari's comments, first being the best.
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Mar 09, 2016 02:59pm
totally agree.
How can a diplomat be so naive and careless when 2 nuclear states are involved on a dispute.
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Mar 09, 2016 03:15pm
What a hypocracy by Hammond, UK foreign secretary. Britain never gave back Northern Ireland to Republic of Ireland but he wants us not to include Kashmir in the dialogue with India !
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Mar 09, 2016 03:17pm
Wel said! Who are they to dictate pak foreign policy.. He should have urged india to respect UNO resolutions
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Mar 09, 2016 03:20pm
@Krana Mr. Kariyana what is the propaganda in it ...
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Mar 09, 2016 03:23pm
Well said Madam ... I wonder why our pm so apologetic in front of British & Indian ministers on real issues ????....
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Mar 09, 2016 03:23pm
What does strong stand on Kashmir mean? nearly 70 years on from partition and after 2 expensive wars there is no solution and there will be no solution by using aggressive language - we have to think out of the box for a solution that is in our best interest.
Kashmir is and should remain a key issue to resolve but perhaps creating a conducive atmosphere is the priority.
Clearly the indians are not ready to contribute to a conducive atmosphere, so no talks until they are ready for talks as equals.
I agree though that it was not Hammonds place to make that public comment.
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Mar 09, 2016 03:27pm
@imtiaz Hydari Yes your last line defines it all its not for British sect. to dictate ...
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Mar 09, 2016 03:34pm
Okay stay back in 90s if that suits you. Pakistanis are not seeing the obvious that the entire world accepts.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:19pm
Unfortunately there is only one solution to Kashmir problem. And it is the same one Mr. Jinnah used when he realised the Indian government is just wasting time talking while forcefully occupying Kashmir.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:29pm
This madam has no tact and norms of respect. You cannot call your guest a 'stupid man', even if so. Instead, he should have been sufficiently briefed about the fact that, it was a deliberate action under a conspiracy jointly hatched by Pundit Nehru and Mountbatten that left Kashmir issue unsettled. The fact is, Maharajah of Kashmir was not ready to sign letter of allegiance with India due to overwhelming Muslim population in Kashmir but, was forced to sign and that too, 3 days after the expiry of due date. A wrong done must be corrected at any time.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:32pm
Mazari is right. This Hammond guy needs to mind his own business and not poke his nose in other countries' affairs.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:32pm
@Ajay 6 billion wrongs dont make a right. Kashmir will be a part of Pakistan and nothing you can do or say will change that.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:33pm
Kashmir issue has been draining the time and energy of both the countries for more than six decades. Both the governments spend more resources on this which could have been used on much more burning issues like poverty, malnutrition, natural calamities and so on. People of both the countries should understand that we were brothers once and now consider the other side of the border to be hostile.
Won't this situation make sure that both the countries will not be able to use their full potential and develop into a strong economy?
Should we not get over this issue and focus on developing together?
Enough of this insanity. I would love to see a day when people of both the nations trust each other and love each other. Probably, an open border just like US-Canada border or the whole of EU region might not be impossible also. After all, we were one few years ago.
Suggestions and criticisms welcome.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:35pm
Really great,represents true voice of Pakistan.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:38pm
Ms Mazari, you put smile on my face, you won my heart, you made my day and made me proud. Hats off to you! Pakistan needs a foreign minister like you - valiant, staunch and very much Pakistani.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:41pm
@Bala Insanity is when you have 1 million soldiers indulging in blatant human rights violations over 70 years. Kashmir is an unfinished business and dont even think for a minute that Pakistan will give in to your sweet talk. Let there be no confusion in the minds of all indians here... we will not only settle Kashmir but also make india account for its role in East Pakistan and sponsoring terrorism inside Pakistan through their assets such as TTP and BLA via Afghanistan, killing more than 80 thousand Pakistanis in the past 15 years.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:48pm
Brash and inappropriate statement, so was his statement. As it is, kashmir is not considered a precondition for dialogue, just a part of it
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Mar 09, 2016 04:49pm
Not just Britain the whole world is giving the same advice to Pakistan!
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Mar 09, 2016 04:51pm
@Hamid Ali India is as much scarred as Pakistan is in this regard. We can choose to continue this hatred and enmity forever and keep suffering.
We can choose to become a Germany or a Soviet Union. Our choice the outcome of which will be enjoyed by us only.
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Mar 09, 2016 04:53pm
Perfect reply. Hats off to this bold lady. UK should first see to their own systems, if those are functioning or not.
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Mar 09, 2016 05:02pm
@Ajay : Ask yourself, keeping your hand on your heart, a simple question of principle: If Hyderabad Deccan, a majority Hindu population state under Muslim Nizam (Nawab) can be forcefully annexed by India, why not Kashmir, a majority Muslim population state under a Hindu Maharajah (Nawab) be annexed forcefully by Pakistan, on the same principle?
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Mar 09, 2016 05:15pm
Bravo. Thank you Ms. Mazari for telling it like it is. Without talking about Kashmir issue, any other talk would be just a photo op or hocus-phocus, to no avail.
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Mar 09, 2016 05:16pm
Although she is right, she should be more diplomatic. She showed some immaturity. But the irony is that it is the British that created this mess in the first place
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Mar 09, 2016 05:21pm
Well said Shireen.
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Mar 09, 2016 05:51pm
@Ajay , entire world has nothing to do with it , you need to resolve it with us fair and square.. its time we listen to ourselves resolve it and move on.. no dictation needed from anyone , its our matter...denying it would not bring peace period!!!
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Mar 09, 2016 05:53pm
@Bala agree with you bro , we need to choose and move on the right path to peace...
@ Hamid what has been done cannot be undone .. if we continue on the track you suggest it will only be tit for tat ..there is no denial that both sides interfere in each others matter , we need to stop this for our people...
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Mar 09, 2016 05:58pm
An absolute breath of fresh air...thank you sincerely, Ms Mazari, for this reply - there will be a day, inshallah, when it comes from PM House in Islamabad.
Hasan
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Mar 09, 2016 06:03pm
No country in this world will take Pakistan's side against India except China and Saudi Arabia...Make it clear in our minds...Pakistan will have to make itself very strong and honest...that's it ...
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Mar 09, 2016 06:08pm
Britian still have moral responsibility to resolve Kashmir issue because they they in fact left this problem unresolved at time of independence. Everyone can run away but morally they can't
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Mar 09, 2016 06:09pm
Well done Shirin.
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Mar 09, 2016 06:12pm
This is a shame there is no comment from govt.
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Mar 09, 2016 06:37pm
@Ahmed USA : Yes, well said but, not well worded!
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Mar 09, 2016 06:40pm
Shireen Mazari, I love your statement. Bold and courageous. This type of statement should come from the government.
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Mar 09, 2016 06:42pm
Thank you Miss Mazari
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Mar 09, 2016 06:48pm
We need Shireen as Foreign Minister of Pakistan.
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Mar 09, 2016 06:51pm
Brits created this problem . They have now this advice : forget abouKashmir
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Mar 09, 2016 07:12pm
well said we actually have someone who can speak up for Pakistan
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Mar 09, 2016 07:15pm
@atif Salute your attitude. With more of people like you, we can hope to see a better India-Pakistan relationship soon.
There is more to lose than to gain from keeping this issue on the boil constantly.
Love thy neighbour.
Definitely, there are lot of people like me in India and for sure lot of Pakistanis will feel like you. Sunrise is on the horizon.
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Mar 09, 2016 07:23pm
Which country offers better potential for economic deals ? Pakistan or India ! Shireen Mazari should ponder on this question and perhaps she will reach a different conclusion about the secretary's wisdom. After this statement , I am sure on next destination he will be better rewarded and received.
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Mar 09, 2016 07:27pm
We are so proud of Shireen Mazari and PTI for taking the stance that is in the best interests of Pakistan
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Mar 09, 2016 07:49pm
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond is a smart and astute diplomat, but he forgets history when the British Raj ruled Indian sub-continent. When independence was granted to India and Pakistan in 1947, Kashmir was left as a festering wound which has bedevilled India and Pakistan till today. India and Pakistan have failed to resolve it, therefore a mediator is needed. Britain created this problem, Britain is responsible for it, so Britain should help resolve it between two nuclear-weapon members of the British Commonwealth. This will be Britain's greatest contribution to world peace.
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Mar 09, 2016 08:00pm
I was taken aback to have listened this foolish proposal from British Foreign Minister to exclude the issue of Kashmir for talks between Pakistan and India. it seems as if he did know the history of Pakistan and India. without solving the issue of Kashmir, peace and stability in the region is impossible. I request the British Foreign Minister not to put forward such baseless proposal in future. He is also requested to study the history of both countries so that it may become clear that until the issue of Kashmir is solved, headway in peace talks is impossible.
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Mar 09, 2016 08:15pm
If not the foreign office, at least some one speaks senses here. Irrespective of your party, I thank you Shireen Mazari for a principled stand.
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Mar 09, 2016 08:57pm
British foreign secretary's remarks were uncalled for and required a response from the foreign office. Kashmir has already become a nuclear flashpoint. Given the nuclearization of the sub-continent any miscalculation by New Delhi or Islamabad can cause a nuclear clash with devastating consequences. Pea ce in South Asia hinges on the peaceful settlement of the decades old Kashmir dispute. Big powers are not interested in resolving the simmering issue, nor is the UN capable of implementing its resolutions calling for a plebiscite to decide the fate of the Kashmiri people. It is the political leadership in India and Pakistan alone that can bring about a breakthrough on Kashmir by showing courage to rise above their differences and carrying forward their peace talks with commitment and sincerity. They owe it to their people and to our future generations.
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Mar 09, 2016 09:00pm
I wish i see Ms.Mazari as FO anytime soon.
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Mar 09, 2016 09:02pm
You can put forth your criticism in a better way than to call someone foolish...
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Mar 09, 2016 09:11pm
I doubt Philip Hammond's sanity as few days before he said Syrian war can be ended by 1 Putin call or only Russia wants UK out of EU etc.
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Mar 09, 2016 09:14pm
He didn't say don't discuss the issue, he said don't keep it as a precondition.
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Mar 09, 2016 09:22pm
@iffi
Because our PM's son stays in London and our PM family has business interest in England.
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Mar 09, 2016 09:51pm
I fully agree with Shireen Mazari 's views.
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Mar 09, 2016 09:51pm
U.K has every right to refuse visa for their country, if Pakistan and India can deny visas for their country where no one in his mind would like to settle then Britshers have every right to deny visa for their country which is certainly heaven for Pakistani and Indians.
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Mar 09, 2016 10:00pm
At the time of partition if British could have solved this lingering issue with Nehru and M.A.Jinnah, there could have been no wars amongst India & Pakistan,and the history of two great neighbors
a could have been quite friendly and different.
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Mar 09, 2016 10:45pm
Finally someone responds to external irritants!! Its about time we make it clear to Western Nations that Pakistan makes its own decisions.
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Mar 09, 2016 10:58pm
A very bold, courageous and right statement. Hats off to Ms. Mazari for calling a spade, a spade.
It merits mention that I am not a member of PTI. Furthermore, I am also not related to Imran Khan and his party members, party officials or party office-holders in any way directly or indirectly, implicilty or explicitly, knowingly or unknowingly.
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Mar 09, 2016 11:32pm
Britain is the main culprit in creating this Kashmir problem - Historically, they created a big mess where ever British occupied and leave the area diplomatically. They have a history of cheating others.
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Mar 09, 2016 11:48pm
@rahat while in power there is realisation of their power and effectiveness. Sartraj knows how weak the government and their diplomacy is
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Mar 10, 2016 12:05am
@Bala you seriously believe US and Canada love each other ?? what a joke
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Mar 10, 2016 12:16am
Undiplomatic language does only more damage
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Mar 10, 2016 01:21am
@Ahmed bin Babar but if you call a fool a fool, what's the problem. Honesty is better than dishonesty.
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Mar 10, 2016 01:21am
@Zak I totally disagree. I want PML (N) to stay and PTI to evaporate into ether like its leader's irresponsible dharnas.
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Mar 10, 2016 01:25am
@sonny afridi UK, US and the entire world excluding Pakistan know it is pointless emotive pursuit egged on by missteps in history blocking our development and progress. Only we, charged with some notional emotion through propaganda by self seeking politicians, keep banging on about it and people of the world are bored and tired of it.
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Mar 10, 2016 01:27am
@Sarfaraz Many of us wish it was! Honest, just governance of the Raj.
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Mar 10, 2016 03:32am
Well said
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