ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: Continued retreat on all fronts against India is the logical consequence of “cowardly and irresponsible policies of General Pervez Musharraf and his ambition to prolong his illegal rule at all costs.”

This was stated by PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif in a message sent from Jeddah to express his grief and sorrow over the death of eight people due to Indian shelling in Azad Kashmir.

In the message, issued by the party’s media centre here on Wednesday, Mr Sharif said had the elected government not been removed through military coup, Pakistan would be talking to India today from a position of dignity and equality.

“Not only that Pakistan would not have to beg for a dialogue but also the Kashmir problem would have been solved in a dignified way,” he added. He said the balance of power in the region also would not have been disturbed.

The PML-N leader said Gen Musharraf had been following a policy of retract for the past four years, encouraging India to be more and more aggressive. “On one hand American friendship and cooperation with India is on the increase while on the other India has grown militarily stronger after receiving AWACs and other war material from Israel,” he added.

He said the balance of power had tilted in India’s favour due to failure of Gen Musharraf’s policies.