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NEW DELHI: Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit says extremist elements in India were opposed to improvement in their country's ties with Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.
Speaking during a television programme, Basit said these extremist elements had disrupted a scheduled meeting between the heads of the Indian and Pakistani cricket boards.
The envoy's statement comes a day after members of India's far-right political group Shiv Sena stormed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters just before Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan was to meet with BCCI chief Shashank Manohar to discuss a bilateral series for December this year.
The protesters demanded that Manohar cancel talks with the PCB chairman that were scheduled to take place in Mumbai on Monday.
Also read: Poison runs deep in system
Earlier this month, Shiv Sena activists had also attacked Sudheendra Kulkarni, the organiser of former Pakistani foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book launch to protest the event which was being held in Mumbai.
Basit, speaking on the programme, also said that Pakistan wished to hold a dialogue with India over a range of issues, including terrorism and Kashmir.
The Pakistani envoy to India also expressed regret over the rise of violence in Maharashtra state, and said the attacks of Hindu extremists on Muslims in India were a cause for concern.
More on this: Now that a prairie fire is lit
In March this year, the state of Maharashtra, where the consumption of beef is banned, made even possessing beef illegal, a move seen by religious minorities as a sign of the growing power of hardline Hindus since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power.
Tensions fuelled by the beef ban have been on the rise in India despite Modi's call for religious harmony as cows are considered sacred by most Hindus in the country, whose millions of Muslims and other minorities eat beef as a source of protein.
Commentators have warned of an emboldening of Hindu hardliners since Modi came to power, with vigilante gangs increasingly campaigning against Muslims.
Explore: An account of India's long history of hypocrisy on cow slaughter laws
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (122) Closed
Oct 20, 2015 10:20am
I don't think that only playing cricket is enough to improve the relations between the two countries.....sir...
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Oct 20, 2015 10:27am
Shiv sena is a local political party in India and they don't represent the opinion of India. Basically Shiv sena is baking on anti Pakistani and anti north Indian immigrants for garnering votes.... Its nothing new and everyone knew about that. The FACT is even shiv sena don't represent the opinion of Maharashtra state. Its just a right wing party and an embarrassment for the country.
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Oct 20, 2015 10:35am
Extremist don't want to improve any thing under the Sun.
Irrespective of which region they are living and most important
which region they follow.
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Oct 20, 2015 10:37am
Being from Mumbai, I would like to say that Shiv Sena doesn't represent me and scores of people like me. They are a shame!
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Oct 20, 2015 10:40am
Mr Basit! Please explain why we need to improve our relations with India?
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Oct 20, 2015 10:49am
It is unfortunately a little but visible minority that causes most problems, Indians have formed opinions about entire country of Pakistan based on actions of a few among us, it would be really big of us, if we don't do the same.
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Oct 20, 2015 10:49am
When order of the day in governance is Hindutava, why wants good will from such elements.
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Oct 20, 2015 10:57am
We should include shivsene name in the dossier now.
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Oct 20, 2015 10:59am
take action in people involved in Mumbai attack .. then we can built relation
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Oct 20, 2015 11:07am
Cricket is enough to mended India-Pakistan tension..??....
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Oct 20, 2015 11:19am
yeah that is true that these extremists dont represent india. There are lot of broadminded indians.
Im sure they will get this under control. and soon, we be like european union :)))
Which is also by the way on the verge of a collapse :)
But we can be even better
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Oct 20, 2015 11:19am
why you want a tie with us >please live in your country peacefully and allow us to live in our country peacefully ? why you are worried about our internal matters ? let us thing beyond Cricket why not trade and business and please note that you are buying lot Indian materials from Dubai but why not directly which will benefit both parties.
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Oct 20, 2015 11:24am
@m singh if hatred prevails, nothing would be enough to improve relations.
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Oct 20, 2015 11:24am
@Pune-India Oh yea doing nothing will be perfect solution, Right?
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Oct 20, 2015 11:25am
Shiv Sena is localized to Mumbai. Arrange a meeting elsewhere. But, decide why you want to normalize relations with India. Is it just to play cricket or to be good neighbors?
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Oct 20, 2015 11:26am
Did u come to know only yesterday?
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Oct 20, 2015 11:29am
We must focus on the welfare of our own citizens. Need not to pay attention toward citizens of others. Do we provide sufficient to the our own deprived people..? I think each of us are capable to to care of our own people.
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Oct 20, 2015 11:36am
Shiv Sena is a party who have resorted to aggression and violence to survive in political arena ever since it was formed. Only targets remain changing for them. Sometime it is north Indian, Sometime it is Bihari in Mumbai and some time Pakistani cricketer etc.They are not the voice of India. They are the curse in Indian political environment. As a matter of fact their popularity is also reducing day by day as people in India are more growth oriented now. Several Indian including me support cultural, sports and economical tie with Pakistan.
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Oct 20, 2015 11:37am
@Madhu but Indian Govt. follow the Shiv Sina and thought are same. So it represent India.So Why not people like you came out protest against them .....
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Oct 20, 2015 11:44am
@manoj provide enough proof first
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Oct 20, 2015 11:53am
There is a general saying , Action Speaks louder than words ,
Whatever shivsena is doing, it has full support from Modi Government. so if just for the sake of argument it is assumed, Govt. of India is sincere in have good relations with Pakistan (which course is not the desire of Indian Government at the moment). Can anyone please name any single step taken by Indian Authorities.
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Oct 20, 2015 11:57am
Now suggestion to Pakistani those want to come in India...go to Delhi, Chandigarh or Allahabad...These city people loves you..Happy Journey...
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Oct 20, 2015 12:00pm
Let me tell you, as I have been to India and visited most of the places, Indians are loving people they welcome Pakistanis and its an awesome place.
What is happening is rather a political stunt being done, for popularity which is disturbing the image of India in the International community. India never promoted difference in religion, and the people of India when you meet and talk to them the difference will be seen. They are good humans.
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Oct 20, 2015 12:01pm
its rather other way round sir
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Oct 20, 2015 12:46pm
@mhw People who are commenting that we dont support Shiv Sena, Shiv sena is tiny party in a city. This itself is a a protest. What else you want? We should travel 1000kms to mumbai and clap on release of a book ?
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Oct 20, 2015 12:52pm
It's time to put diplomacy aside and take a break from trying to work on getting along it appears as if this is becoming a one sided affair for which every passing day as a Pakistani I have less taste for and more and more Pakistani are being led by the Indian behavior to this conclusion,give the indians time to grow up and figure out where they want to go we as Pakistanis should work on our end on the strongest defense and cold blooded response to any raw game/players within our borders and maintain a complete silent policy towards the misguided Indian government of present day till they learn the new song of peace and coexistence.
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Oct 20, 2015 01:03pm
The best thing for Pakistan is to break the diplomatic ties with India as long as the BJP/RSS is in power.
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Oct 20, 2015 01:16pm
@Kamal Pasha good do it immediately.
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Oct 20, 2015 01:31pm
We indians dont want to talk to you. Not even cricket.
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Oct 20, 2015 01:32pm
True, extremists on both sides do not want.Then,they are hardly less than 1%. We can not be on their mercy.
2 . On beef, it should not be a Muslim- Hindu issue , better turn it in a Veg- Non Veg issue.As may Hindus across India & world eat beef also
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Oct 20, 2015 01:32pm
@Kamal Pasha we dont even care.
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Oct 20, 2015 01:35pm
There will never be a peace between these two nation, like it or NOT better way forward is go own ways separately. you just can not be friendly with each other.
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Oct 20, 2015 01:56pm
@Asgher Ali they dont want to improve.. their eyes are on the money that outflows of the bilateral series.. simple!!
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Oct 20, 2015 01:57pm
Judging from the majority of Indian comments on Dawn articles, it seems Shiv Sena, and its suppotters are in fact the majority group in India.
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Oct 20, 2015 02:02pm
India and Pakistan should completely break off diplomatic relationship and live in their own countries peacefully.
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Oct 20, 2015 02:04pm
And vice versa is also true
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Oct 20, 2015 02:06pm
Mr. Basit your ego problem also one of the reason for cancellation talks.
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Oct 20, 2015 02:07pm
@Pune-India no its a start and since you all obviously donot want to tackle the root issue of kashmir, have to start somewhere. Personally i am against it now.
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Oct 20, 2015 02:19pm
@m singh Sir please keep cricket out politics and source of improving relations. That is merely a sport game and may kindly be treated as such. Nowhere in the article is mentioned that cricket can improve ties between the two neighbours.
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Oct 20, 2015 02:24pm
Yes this is correct but there are no extremist groups in India.
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Oct 20, 2015 02:41pm
@Kamal Pasha ,Go Head........Break the tie. Who care.
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Oct 20, 2015 02:48pm
BCCI should replace their HQ to other Places like Kolkata,Delhi, Chennai.otherwise every events & sports will be banned or cancelled in mumbai & maharashtra . one thing also indian govt can do is that banned Mumbai & maharashtra for 5 years after this people will teach lesson to Sena for this hate Mongering.
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Oct 20, 2015 02:55pm
@Rohit
If they don't represent U & most of the So called Marathi Manush So why are they won 62 seats pls Understand its not 90's its 21st century. India don't want this hatred.I can't understand why Mumbai's educated people support this fringe party . they are defaming India every day internationally. they are not just playing ahte politics but also humiliating india image at the blobal level. Mumbai should be banned for all events & sports for 5 years they people will understand & teach tough lesson to them. shame on Sena
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Oct 20, 2015 03:16pm
Lately Indian behavior is quite erratic. While I don't suggest that all India is like that but India need to curb the wave of violence and sensationalized behavior. If not controlled it will hurt them the most.
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Oct 20, 2015 03:17pm
Now that's one clever guy. Did he work that out all by himself??
Hasan
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Oct 20, 2015 03:22pm
As an Indian, I can emphatically state that I want better relations with Pakistan. I also know that efforts to realise the same are futile. Our diplomatic capital is better spent elsewhere.
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Oct 20, 2015 03:23pm
@kartikey Mishra why only take out BCCI HQ out of Mumbai, why not all Bhaiyya's staying in the city? You will never understand why Mumbai's educated people support Sena, Bcoz you are not born for it.
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Oct 20, 2015 03:33pm
Dump India.
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Oct 20, 2015 03:37pm
Basit Sahib, I beg to differ in that one ! The Shiv Sena is a very very miniscule minority, 99.99999999 pc of Indians aren't in their favour.
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Oct 20, 2015 03:46pm
Not just Indian extremists, India does not want to improve ties with Pakistan, including its great PM. Open your eyes Mr high commissioner, Basit.
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Oct 20, 2015 03:48pm
@Rohit then do something about it, at least declare them a terrorist group like we did to taliban
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Oct 20, 2015 03:48pm
Pakistan should do justice to mumbai attacks and then ask for better relationships,
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Oct 20, 2015 03:49pm
Mr. Basit, one side u wan to improve relations with India (in cricket/drama/singing/dance etc.. etc..) and on other hand u meet kasmiri so called separatist. So wht type of improvement is this.. u r artists and players come in India to earn not to improve relations
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Oct 20, 2015 03:50pm
@sandeep yeh sure
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Oct 20, 2015 03:51pm
We need to break ties with india, they have not accepted us since our independence
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Oct 20, 2015 03:57pm
they have loved you and trusted you in the past and you have given them Kargil and the Mumbai attacks. So you shouldnt be surprised at their reaction now.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:00pm
@Savinust Completely agree with you 100%.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:03pm
@O Khan That is a fact. Indians dont want better ties with Pakistan and most Indians feel that way. You cant have Kargil, Mumbai attacks and cricket at the same time.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:09pm
Stop stating the obvious. Duh !
Who hired this guy ! What a genius.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:11pm
Is Modi a hostage of Shiv Sena? He should make a rational decision unless his decision is also the same.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:22pm
@Timeto stopthis, What about the innocents people on the Pakistan side of Kashmir, when the are bombed by your army ?
And what about inovlvement of RAW in Baluchistan? You Indians are not Saints.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:29pm
"India's extremist elements don’t want improved ties with Pakistan: Basit"
It works both ways.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:35pm
Dear Mr. Basit, You want improved ties with India and on the same day what is your colleague told to media today - reported by Dawn.
"Pakistan has made low-yield nuclear weapons to bridge the gap for war that India had created through its cold-start doctrine, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry told a news briefing on Tuesday."
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Oct 20, 2015 04:37pm
The indians try to hide their hatred behind excuses like Mumbai but forget they have been ranting against Pakistan for 67 years.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:40pm
@mhw ... Mumbai is small metro city compare to India and they are shame of the country not only to Pakistani but also troubling Biharis, south Indian etc. so no one care about them. About we protesting again them? why? you never supported us. Still insist on Kashmir, don't allow trade. Every place go give dossier which world never saw? so why should we?
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Oct 20, 2015 04:44pm
You are right sir, LeT and JeM are messengers of peace.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:47pm
There is no difference between Modi Government and any other guy from the street,
his behaviour is objectionable by international standards...having said that Modi and Shiv Sena are damaging India right and left...What India dad gained in the past is now going down the drain.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:52pm
@Madhu ...Madhu , please speak for yourself only. The general feeling in India is that playing cricket and hockey is not enough to improve ties with a country. There has to be trust, the borders should be peaceful and there should be people to people harmony and trade. After that there can be enough time for sports and cultural exchanges.
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Oct 20, 2015 04:54pm
what is the use of sports with out core issue kashmir and discussion with hurriyat, mr. basit?
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Oct 20, 2015 05:05pm
What about Pakistan's extremist elements?
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Oct 20, 2015 05:11pm
extremist elements = Indian govt. that's the simple equation
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Oct 20, 2015 05:14pm
It is high time to shift the venue of important meetings of India and Pakistan to any other safer place like Chennai or Bangalore rather than give another chance for Shiv Sena goons to carry out their violent acts by keeping the venue in Mumbai itself.
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Oct 20, 2015 05:16pm
I am still trying to figure out why we want relationship with India? What does it buy us except constant headache. Let them go their way and we go our way. It is a pity that India is turning out like Pakistan in term of intolerance but that is their problem and they need to deal with it. We have enough of our problems and don't need help or hindrance from India
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Oct 20, 2015 05:18pm
Shiva sena even not spares fellow Indians who are not Maratas. Shiv sena has issue with Pakistan and they hates a particular community for the same reason.
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Oct 20, 2015 05:21pm
India the sponsor of terrorism.
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Oct 20, 2015 05:22pm
Pakistan should show the way by inviting India to play in Pakistan and ensure that there is no question mark on security.
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Oct 20, 2015 05:24pm
First point why India should care Pakistan. Indua is not recognizing any pakistan elenents and offucuals. Only pakistan begging. Stop it and focus on development. Earn respect. Dont beg it
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Oct 20, 2015 05:33pm
Shiv Sena and all these other senas should be banned by India
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Oct 20, 2015 05:34pm
Shivsena wouldn't have face to say so if there was justice to 26/11 plotters
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Oct 20, 2015 05:49pm
Dear Pakistanis please leave India now, comeback when Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM is PM of India.
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Oct 20, 2015 05:51pm
Modi's India has failed miserably......look forward to India like it was before....
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Oct 20, 2015 05:54pm
@Kamal Pasha ... I am an Indian and I fully support you on this..... My personal wish is this blackout --- be it from Pakistan side or Indian Side ... blackout is important
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Oct 20, 2015 06:00pm
Pakistan MUST shutdown its embassies in India and ask Indians to shutdown their embassies in Pakistan.
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Oct 20, 2015 06:19pm
It's not just extremists - this hatred is much more deep rooted.
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Oct 20, 2015 06:26pm
Just stay out of india. All matter will be resolved automatically
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Oct 20, 2015 06:31pm
I don't know what stops our political or diplomatic heads from saying clearly that "BJP does not want any relation with Pakistan" - why beat about the bush ?.
a stupidly ignorant and heart wrenching statement where even some as far as sitting on Mars can make it out what's happening on whose backing and yet these people have no courage to call a spade a spade. be blunt, dot on, like every then and now India is hypocrite whenever they wish and call some lunatic dead evil Dawood's presence in Pak and run away like cowards from all their political or sporting contractual obligations under the pretext of 'security'.
damn all, who are lynching us as a proud Pakistani, a major segment of media and rotten politicians wish to suck out whatever is left in our fragile skeleton of which a nation up of.
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Oct 20, 2015 06:40pm
Identity crisis? As an ambassador you should not indulge in such political statements, and instead look to engage the Indian Govt constructively. Unfortunately, you dont seem to understand this and instead scuttled the talks by calling in an irrelevant Hurriyat,not realizing you weree dealing with a no nonsense Govt!
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Oct 20, 2015 06:47pm
I agree with the report but,
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Oct 20, 2015 06:49pm
@Madhu That may be true, but those governaments including Pakistan and India who give up to these extremist groups are COWARDS. Majority of Pakistanis and Indians want to live in peace and harmony. I hope and pray that one day we all grow up before it is too late.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:05pm
This Ambassador talks only with extremists elements in Kashmir, he has to talk with C M and Oppositions leaders of J K government. From my understanding this ambassador is not helpful.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:13pm
@manoj Bombay incident was created by west,like 9/11.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:14pm
There is no universal definition of extremists.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:16pm
True what you say sir.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:18pm
We need to normalize our relationships and respect each others religions. Secondly, the extremist groups should be prevented by the government to disturb the general public in both countries.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:19pm
Yes, that is correct. So called secular India showing its true extremist face and is getting exposed everyday.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:22pm
We haven't seen any progress in Mumbai attack case. Please show some progress to calm Indians down.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:25pm
@seenivasan . We are more than happy to see you living happily in your country but you should let the minority Indian muslims live happily alongside you as well.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:42pm
@ASH What have you done to bring the Hindu extremists to task who were involved in Samjhota express bombing to calm the Pakistanis down? Mind you, Samjhota express terror act happened long before the Mumbai incident.
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Oct 20, 2015 07:59pm
Do you really honest to make good relation. As an Indian I do not really believe.
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Oct 20, 2015 08:20pm
@mhw "@Madhu but Indian Govt. follow the Shiv Sina and thought are same. So it represent India.So Why not people like you came out protest against them ....."
Untrue. indian government gave visa to Kasuri and the maharashtra government led by BJP. Of which Shiv Sena is a par, arrested people responsible for throwing ink on Sudheendra Kulkarni who was hosting Kasuri.
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Oct 20, 2015 08:20pm
@the right left Shivsena is a local political outfit with hardly any support outside Maharashtra
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Oct 20, 2015 09:20pm
@Asgher Ali by cricketing relationship pcb wants to earn money as simple is that
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Oct 20, 2015 09:30pm
Well,they are on both sides .Even though,in minority , they have choked the voices of majority of people in both countries and they decide for majority .
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Oct 20, 2015 09:30pm
@Saeed Masood try to understand why with Pak only
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Oct 20, 2015 09:36pm
There are too many obstacles on both sides of the border for peace to prevail.
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Oct 20, 2015 09:38pm
@Madhu Shiv Sena are a disgrace to democracy they should not be allowed to operate politically.
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Oct 20, 2015 10:50pm
India will have no ties in any field with Pakistan till it abandons its decades old proxy war against the former.
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Oct 20, 2015 11:08pm
@Gp65 Please note, Kasuri (Kulkarni was and that is regrettable) was never attacked since he was a guest, Ghulam Ali was never attacked. Najam Sethi and Sharyar Khan were never attacked ( the BCCI office was attacked and I hate that too).
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Oct 20, 2015 11:31pm
@Madhu;
'The FACT is even shiv sena don't represent the opinion of Maharashtra state.'
The FACT is that Shiv Sena has a few aliases, one of them is BJP.
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Oct 20, 2015 11:34pm
india aspires to become a great country,it will not happen under the present situation,a leader who can bring togather the people of india , under one banner,where all people benefit irrespective of their ethinicity,religion,cast.modi is definitely not that person,he might make a little progress, but he will harm india more , and destroy the secular reputation of india.
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Oct 21, 2015 02:31am
whatever, the question is what exactly Pakistan can gain from any tie with India ?
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Oct 21, 2015 02:38am
He is 100 percent right.
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Oct 21, 2015 02:52am
Mr Basit same is true for extremists in Pakistan. So please don't blame India only.
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Oct 21, 2015 02:59am
Do Islamic countries permit eating of pork? No. So why India a majority Hindu nation permit eating beef?
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Oct 21, 2015 03:56am
@Akil Akhtar
The reality of partition is coming true after 70 years. Those who thought it was a creation of two countries were wrong it was a creation of two opposing cultures.
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Oct 21, 2015 06:25am
Mr Basit must honestly state first, wheather Pakistani state wants to improve ties with India ?
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Oct 21, 2015 06:55am
@mhThat's not true. Most of India thinks of Shiv Sena as a goonda party, but they have some political clout in Mumbai.
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Oct 21, 2015 10:08am
@Manbir Singh;
Mind is like a parachute, when closed you arrive at the conclusion much quickly. There is no law in Pakistan against eating pork.
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Oct 21, 2015 05:26pm
@Yash;
Pakistan has it's share of extremists, the difference is that our extremists don't live in the prime minister house.
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Oct 22, 2015 05:03pm
Who is Basit to comment on Indian Muslims? They are far better and safer than Pakistan.
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Oct 22, 2015 06:45pm
An ordinary citizen like me would love to visit Pakistan, specially, Lahore. But cannot due to so many reasons which I can't explain here. I wish there would be peace in the Indian sub-continent and Kashmiris live happily in their homes. The funniest thing is there are so many Kashmiris in the South and Goa doing business selling carpets and shawls. So how come they don't like India?
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Oct 22, 2015 10:59pm
What is new about. Extremists never want to improve relation on either side. Either we live with it or ignore them and do what is necessary for both of us.
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