Revelation: Backchannel talks continue with India, says PM

Gilani says peace process between the two countries may resume anytime.

LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has revealed that back-channel talks between Pakistan and India continue despite the fact that a slow-moving peace process between the two countries was suspended following the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai.

However, he told foreign journalists during an interaction in Lahore on Saturday that people would be informed if there was any progress in this backdoor diplomacy.

It is the first time that the Pakistani premier acknowledged that the two countries were engaged backchannel talks. He also said that the stalled peace process could also revive anytime in the near future.

The prime minister said that Pakistan wanted to resolve all issues with India but through proper dialogue. He said that  Pakistan is the birthplace of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, so he does not need any invitation to come.

Gilani said that though Singh was sincere in resolving all issues between the two countries, he was under pressure from his people and parliament.

Asked about the military operation in North Waziristan, the premier said, “We will see how beneficial this is for our country.” He added that the “war on terror” is Pakistan’s war and is in the best interest of the country.

“Pakistan wants to be a part of the solution and not the problem,” he added. He said Pakistan’s forces and people had paid a huge price in the fight against terrorism and extremism so Pakistan’s bad image in the war against terrorism should be dispelled.

On growing US drone attacks, he said the international community should realise that drone attacks are increasing problems because innocent people are being killed along with terrorists. He added that terrorists are using this as a tool to gain sympathy of the locals. He said these attacks are a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty.

About the ‘rightsizing’ of the federal cabinet, Gilani said, “A decision has been made in principle to minimise the cabinet size in accordance with the provisions of the 18th amendment.” However, he hastened to add that he would take all political parties on board before taking such steps.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th,  2011.