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Former Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the historic meeting between the leaders of Cold War foes US and North Korea earlier in the day can be a precedent for Pakistan and India to talk out their hostilities and pave the way for lasting regional peace.
US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong Un had concluded an extraordinary nuclear summit by signing a document in which Trump pledged "security guarantees" to the North and Kim reiterated his commitment to "complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula".
Sharif, the PML-N president, in a series of tweets suggested that Pakistan and India should resume their dialogue on Kashmir to settle the long-festering dispute.
"Singapore Summit between the US and North Korea should set a good precedent for Pakistan and India to follow," Sharif wrote.
He reminded netizens that the two countries had been threatening to use nuclear weapons against each other since the Korean War began.
Singapore Summit between USA & North Korea should set a good precedent for Pakistan & India to follow. Ever since the start of Korean War, the two nations have been at odds with one another; both threatening to use military force with their nuclear arsenals facing each other(1/3)
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 12, 2018
"If the United States and North Korea can return from the brink of a nuclear flashpoint, there is no reason why Pakistan and India cannot do the same," he stressed.
Sharif suggested that the starting point for the South Asian neighbours should be a dialogue on Kashmir, "whose heroic people have resisted and rejected Indian occupation".
If the United States and North Korea can return from the brink of a nuclear flashpoint, there is no reason why Pakistan and India cannot do the same, beginning with a dialogue on Kashmir whose heroic people have resisted and rejected Indian occupation. (2/3)
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 12, 2018
"It's time for comprehensive peace talks in our region," he declared, adding that the international community should also focus on the peace process in Afghanistan.
The dialogue between Pakistan and India should also resume, he said, so that "the long-festering Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with UN resolutions".
It's time for comprehensive peace talks in our region. International community must focus on the peace process in Afghanistan. Dialogue b/w Pakistan & India over Kashmir should also resume, so that the long-festering Kashmir dispute is resolved in accordance with UN resolutions.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 12, 2018
India and Pakistan had announced the resumption of talks under the comprehensive bilateral dialogue format during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad in December 2015. However, the dialogue hit a roadblock after the Pathankot terror attack that India blamed on a Pakistan-based terror outfit in 2016.
There has been no formal communication between the two governments since then, although the National Security Advisers of the two countries have held a secret meeting during the period.
For more live updates, follow Dawn.com's official news Instagram account @dawn.today
Comments (65) Closed
No thanks!
Gun & Peace cant run on parallel. Negotiation is absolute necessary for our kids but that should be on some pre condition.
Family business across the border in danger. steel mill in trouble.
Yes we can and we all know how especially Pakistanis.
Now he says all this when he is out of govt.
In India-Pak relation who is US and which one is N-Korea?
sure why not..
Can someone tell SS that US & N'Korea it was political there was no land involved also non of these countries tried to destroy each other Pakistan - India there is a dispute of land plus India is busy destroying Pakistan
With this SS remarks we wants Pakistan to accept India occupied Kashmir as India Kashmir
In case of North korea US president flew all the way from Canada to the neighbouring state of singapore and moreover he praised the dictator leader of North Korea. Shehbaz should understand that this is their doctrine. they are repeating the deal with Gaddafi. Pakistani politicians should leave India Pakistan issues aside and focus on internal economy of Pakistan.
I hope establishment will not call a meeting of NSC because of Shahbaz’s comment on peace with India!
Rational statement by Shahbaz Sharif. But unfortunately it is will be bashed by one party and biased journalists.
A politician statement.. just like load sheding and petrol prices
There is one difference. Both US and NKorea accept each others existence. The current RSS government in India wants to swallow Pakistan into the Akhand Bharat. We are not dealing with Vajpayee. We have the most radical person in India with blood on his hands running the country. A country where sitting President goes to RSS headquarters in Nagpur and all the channel show live coverage for 24 hours.
What a weird comparison between US-North Korea and India-Pakistan's relationships. I do not know how Dawn thought it fit to be the top story. .
Another attempt by the Sharifs to get into the good books of the International establishment.
Because it does not suit the elites on both sides!
Shriefs, you guys had Pakistan for more than 10 years and did not do anything now your statements show that you are not being truthful. You gave this statement close to election to show yourself caring but you’re not. Pakistani public is more intelligent than you. Sorry
Agree with you one hundred percent, Mr. Prime Minister-in waiting!
India is not anxious for a chat. Perhaps when the Sharifs are out of power.
So that his own business along with his corrupt brother can run smoothly across the border. It will then be easier for him to sell his country to the neighbours which as of now both of them are doing under the wraps !!
Yes, lets make peace.
Not possible, as NK was scared off getting destroyed by the US. And the US was scared NK will take surrounding countries down with it. For PAK and IND both know they can destroy each other so peace can't happen. Too much of hatred, ego between them. Neither of them can agree on Kashmir. That's a reality
Let us have similar Drama
Our case is different as compared to NK and USA.
But who will the Indians talk to? General Bajwa?
Great idea.... Shahbaz Sharif for PM.
You dont have to quote examples, you got to set them and during your Family tenures nothing was done so why are you trying to come into Limelight again?
Agreed 101%.
It is not happening.
India wants domination in the region not friends
well said SS but unfortunately some elements on either side of the border do not want peace .
if india pak become friends, what will happen to both armies and the huge budget they enjoy
It is indeed a precedent for India and Pakistan and also for Afghanistan and Taliban
The man does not know whatever he is tweeting. How can Pakistan talk to India about Kashmir when the Indian government consistently refuses to even accept kashmir as an issue?.
Interesting how Kashmir comes to his mind as soon he vacates office.
If Shabaz feels so stongly about this precedent being set then why on earth have the Shariffs not managed to get India to the negotiating table or made any effort during this term or the last 2 they held?
This is like matching apples with oranges! Neither Pakistan is USA nor India is North Korea...
First face corruption cases
The dialogue for peace and reconciliation must be undertaken as suggested by the Dawn Editorial, below"
"India and Pakistan had announced the resumption of talks under the comprehensive bilateral dialogue format during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Islamabad in December 2015"
Reconciliation dialogue between India and Pakistan must continue in spite of provocations from both sides.
How much was MSS paid by India to make this statement
Is SS trying to be international leader? US and North Korea accord was between very power full and very week country accord. Does he understands it:
USA and North Korea do not have any common border. WE two have long borders with many bad experiences. I do not think the comparison is right. However, yes we must talk and resolve our issues.
Sadly, Shahbaz Sharif is not up with the international knowledge. North Korea has no match to USA military, territory or economy’s bases.
Shriefs has government for 10 years and is their anything that they have done memorable for a common citizen? Now before elections times this kind of statements don’t carry weight.
Look who is taking? You and your brother did not utter a word against India in 5 years that you were in power. Why are we always followers? India exploded bomb, we followed, India stopped our water, we now thought of building dams, India signed Nuclear treaty with US, we started hollering that we should have it to. Why cannot precedents be set by us for others to follow? Lack of vision and will by the rulers, bad performance and incompetent.
yes. Agree with him.
Business partner speaks!!
I agree that India and Pakistan should make efforts to resolve their conflict. Unfortunately referring to Kashmir at this stage does not help. Let us start without preconditions and go for the low hanging fruits first. Other things will then follow
Be practical. Not a chance.
Not a good analogy!
Agree
Looks like some sensible leaders are still alive in the country. Hope leaders like these get elected to the highest offices to make a difference and bring lasting peace.
Good idea Mr. Shahbaz Sharif but the problem is that such ideas die down fast once your party is in power. We all know who India invested in this country to be their puppet. You are no different.
US and NK had Noland dispute
This will never happen because of Religion. Religion is the worst kind of euphoria. Germany wall can be taken off , North or So Korea can be taken off but two hearts divided by the name of religion will never be united. This is so bad as our leaders used religion as as a mean of politics.
The minister should understand that 1 billion people of India will never ever let go of Kashmir as they consider it an integral part. Just as no Pakistani would let go of any part of Pakistan. This is the bottom line. How does one negotiate from here ? That requires a genius. No politician on either side are good enough for this.
Everyone wonders why these brothers are so inclined to have peace with india when india doesn't want peace? I would like to see a statement of condemnation from the sharifs too when indians kill our civilians in LoC fire but i haven't seenany till now. Its strange they care more about the indians than they care about Pakistanis.
@Fahim valid question.... everyone need to give a thought to it.
@Adil Shah but it is vice versa
@Junaid Khan so true
So, why didn't your brother tried to talk to India to resolve the issues - during his three PM terms in office?
Suddenly, he wakes up after watching Trump in Singapore. Wasn't India still across the border firing at our side all this time??
That's nice. Just when the party is in disarray, his brother is involved in many cases, disqualified and ousted from office and just weeks away from next elections.
What prevented NS from engaging India and continue the dialogue to resolve the disputes - despite his close friendship with Modi? Your party had opportunity to do just that since 1990 and were in power three times,. Yet you failed to see the need to talk to India during those terms?
Fool me once, shame on you!
He might be right but unfortunately, India is not North Korea and the biased and prejudiced lndian leaders are not like the visionary and legendary; Kim Jong Un.
Why this sudden love for enemy number one.! It is in the family.
Time is not ripe for peace-talk. We need a huge wall that separates us and keeps us safe from each other. CPEC should offer jobs to Kashmiris. The wall should be a project under cpec. Safety first.
@zeeshandxb :Well said!