Pakistan

Peace dialogue: ‘Talks only way forward’

PM meets Indian delegation ahead of resumption of dialogue with India.

Zia Khan March 24, 2011

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan desires to resolve all outstanding issues with India peacefully, said Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to an Indian delegation as both countries plan to resume peace talks next week after a stalemate since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

“Wars are not the solution, talks are the only way forward,” Gilani said on Wednesday while talking to an Indian delegation which includes actors and academics, led by Indian journalist Kuldip Nayar. “Our government would like to continue working with India to resolve all outstanding issues peacefully in just manner.”

The comments from the prime minister came days ahead of a proposed meeting between the interior secretaries from both countries in what would be the resumption of peace talks for the first time in more than two years. In 2004, Islamabad and New Delhi started what both sides called the ‘composite dialogue’.

Both countries had come to the brink of a fifth war following an attack on the Indian parliament allegedly carried out by a Pakistani militant organisation with allegedly close links to the country’s intelligence agencies.

The talks were stalled after commando-style attacks at multiple locations in the Indian city of Mumbai on November 26, 2008, blamed on the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a front for the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

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

COMMENTS (53)

Vicram Singh | 13 years ago | Reply edit: "To be really honest, India has not seen bloodshed on the scale of Pakistan." to be read as : "To be really honest, India has not seen bloodshed on the scale of Pakistan, after the Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Indian Kashmir was contained.".

Vicram Singh | 13 years ago | Reply @A R Khan Yusufzai: " The two neighbours had already seen too much of bloodshed and wars. People-to-people contact would be the biggest Confidence Building Measure (CBM) between archrivals India and Pakistan" To be really honest, India has not seen bloodshed on the scale of Pakistan. The number of people killed in Pakistan are many many many times more than Mumbai. Buy why are you expecting sympathy from India on this point ? Terrorists, Jihadists are Pakistan's creations - these are your co-religionists trying to take you back to the Stoning Age. You are suggesting more people-to-people contact - who would you like to meet whom ? As long as your elected leaders and the MILITARY participate in any form of "India is the enemy" politics, NOTHING IS GOING TO HELP. As long as your military and ISI support any form of jihadi, there can be no peace. PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

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Vicram Singh | 13 years ago | Reply @Zeeshan P.: " Pakistan is willing to accept any boundary of Kashmir decided by Kashmiris and not Indians. " And, pray, what kind of decisions are you allowing the Kashmiris within your boundaries to make ?

chandran | 13 years ago | Reply one way this drone attack responsble internal migration of people to sindh already people migrated from india settled there. Tommorrow if there is drone attack on quetta also baluchi people also start migrating to sindh. for the arugment you will say nuclear powered army wont allow that but to keep their mouth shut US will give another batch of F16 to them. At present what is US policy towards pakisthan is GIVE WEAPON TO PAK ARMY FINANCIAL AID TO CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT.finaly drop bomb over the people. Best of luck to you people. India never send drone to pakisthan but you have send lots of freedom fighters to IHK.

chandran | 13 years ago | Reply how about target killings in karachi because of lot of drone attack on swat valley lots of pattan migrated to karachi. Now Muhajir (Indian muslim by blood) fighting with them

A R Khan Yusufzai | 13 years ago | Reply Instead of purchasing guns and bombs, we need to feed a large number of poor people in South Asia. The two neighbours had already seen too much of bloodshed and wars. People-to-people contact would be the biggest Confidence Building Measure (CBM) between archrivals India and Pakistan. It is essential to resume the process of dialogue and confidence building measures. Until people-to-people contact resumes, there is no hope for the reinstatement of CBMs anytime soon. I advocate relaxation in visa regime for more people to be able to visit each other and more frequently.

Realist | 13 years ago | Reply Talks? What a joke! Good luck solving any kind of issue between a Hindu and a Muslim country through talks. History certainly proves that nothing is ever achieved through mere talks.

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Mohammed Ali Siddiqui: Couldnt agree with u more. But Does Gilani have any voice. Is he serious or is it for Public consumption???

Venky | 13 years ago | Reply Politicians like Gilani makes only statements but the Army (who said India enemy no.1) sitting behind takes decisions.Unless Politicians can take control over GHQ no talk should be held. Have you ever heard of a country where Army talks directly to Foreign office diplomats on decisions to take on policy issues? To all readers who proposed re-unification, German style, not possible or required. 1948 has drawn line, that's it. .

Dranshul | 13 years ago | Reply @Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: You are a cool man.if america is killing in pakistan by its drones then its justified to have a war with india.are u all right? Any how america is paying huge amount of money to pakistan for this.and army of pakistan (under gen.Mussaraf)accepted that proudly

Anshu | 13 years ago | Reply @Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Would u please justify me of ur thinking that american drones are killing people so pakistan should go on war with india?

Nitin Mehta | 13 years ago | Reply I will only believe it if the proposal for peace is seconded by the pakistani army and ISI. The pakistani leaders, although may genuinely want peace with india, unfortunetly have no say at all in matters related to foreign policy. And in the past, whenever a democratically elected leader has tried for a peace accord with India, it has been sabotaged by the pakistani army. For instance, BB in her first term, genuinely wanted peace with India, but Ishaq Khan and Gen Beg got rid of her by labeling her as an Indian agent. Further, Nawaz Sharif, during his last term genunely wanted peace with India, but that was sabotaged by the pakistani army (owing to kargil). Thus, these friendly overtures (with all due respect to the PM) don't mean anything. Further, I don't think that the Pak army and ISI would ever want peace with India, since that will completely undermine their authority.

Zeeshan P. | 13 years ago | Reply @Nirode Mohanty, Pakistan is willing to accept any boundary of Kashmir decided by Kashmiris and not Indians. And, we don't need any of your trade and tourism. May you spare your wealth to your fellow Indians first? Even as your economy grew, malnutrion, poverty and hunger have not been solved. We have been building our economy from scratch without any of your trade and tourism. Go and spend your tourist money in Switzerland where you are very famous among the Swiss hotel owners: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/world/europe/12swiss.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=Bollywood&st=cse . And, the water is owned by Kashmiris, they will dictate how Pakistan and India will use their water. comprendo?

Zeeshan P. | 13 years ago | Reply @Sandeep Do thank Jinnah "Sahab" for liberating us from you too. And at least there is one Indian who recognized India has a long way to go with providing "equal" rights to its minorities. Don't forget the northeast folks too: http://samaw.com/86-of-ne-indians-face-racial-discrimination-in-delhi/1505

G. Din | 13 years ago | Reply @Zeeshan P.: "...Heck, give Pakistan some credits, we make India feel a bit manly." And, how do you feel - womanly?

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply @Nirode Mohanty: Hear Hear!! well said !! However there is a small issue within pakistan, with its rulers and brain washed public, which is deniablity, and conspiracy against them from everyone on this planet to aliens from mars, if possible. This kashmir agenda on their behalf is a non starter and they know it, but its the trick of the ruling classes to divert the attention of the masses from the major issues on their door step and daily lives too.

XVCSC | 13 years ago | Reply @Cautius, Misguided brainwashed child

Nirode Mohanty | 13 years ago | Reply These talks and the peace delegations only serve media. Peace or friedship will not come to the Subcontinent until Pakistan respects the pact between late Zulkifikar Bhutto and late Indira Gandhi. If Pakistan wants peace and stability it should accept the current LOC as the boundary line, not rehashing the UN Resolution.Trade, tourism, water sharing and other collaborations will follow.

Ron(Indian) | 13 years ago | Reply @Zeeshan P.: Hey are you the same Zeeshan Pandit? nice to see you again... have you drop the "Pandit" surname on my recommendation..?? That's great,,, Ok so do u know who the farooq-abdullah is ? ok let me tell you he is a polititian... So that answers entire china theory.. Ok now get back to important questions that affects you in your day todays life.. I mean institution problems, economy, education...etc.. So how are handling these things in Pakistan.. How you are contributing to the society.? How you are making life easier for others... ? Yes I am paying taxes and I am actively taking part in social welfare in my area,,, what about you? What do you feel about today's pakistan? Talk to me and I am not going to ask you about kasmiri christens you lost their lives that's not todays talking point so answer the above questions.. Let me know how you live in pakistan... Thanks.

Zeeshan P. | 13 years ago | Reply @Cautius, Thanks for the advice but I believe India needs that advice more than Pakistan (have you seen Mumbai and Delhi? Bihar and Madya Pradesh? Heck, what about Bangalore and Chennai?). Given how your country is never capable of handling an equal nation: China, and having the consequences of your intervention in Sri Lanka in mind, India needs Pakistan to feel a bit manly. That's why you have to think 6,7 times before retaliating to China. Heck, give Pakistan some credits, we make India feel a bit manly.

Zeeshan P. | 13 years ago | Reply I suggest Tribune starts to get Indian ad in this site to make more money. And, talking about war, one of the funniest things I have heard was India promising to retaliate to China's "incursion" only in summer. Hilarious: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-01-10/india/283657951incursions-into-indian-territory-chinese-troops-farooq-abdullah

Feroz Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Finally, common sense prevails!

bvindh | 13 years ago | Reply After losing every single war they ever fought, finally one Pakistani gets the point. Wah Pakistan! Wah!!

MehdiRaza | 13 years ago | Reply the war is not a solution for anyone...

sandeep limaye | 13 years ago | Reply Indian people have one problem that we think that if we say that India and Pakistan is having one culture or we should become one country by this we are showing our love to our neighbor. but Pakistanis take it as an offense. in place of talking this kind of rubbish we should thank Jinnah sahib that he thought of partition otherwise India would be a country where 40 percent population would be of Muslims. thank Jinnah sahib and God for saving us. now let Pakistani live as they want to live. we should take care of our minorities and try to give them equal rights

Arijit Sharma | 13 years ago | Reply "He said India and Pakistan should work together to tackle the menace of terrorism." Why does Pakistan try to drag India into working together to tackle the menace of PAKISTAN origin terrorism - Mr. Gilani needs to set his house in order. Does India invite Pakistan to deal with Naxal issues ? Mr Gilani, Sir - please deal with your own filth - your country created them in a short sighted move to become USA's front line client state ( not ally ) in the fight against the Soviet Union.

Arijit Sharma | 13 years ago | Reply "A stable Pakistan is in the interest of an economically growing India." This oft repeated cliche is no longer the dominant thought in Indian policy circles. There is a new realization that in the short to medium term, a quasi-stable, internally feuding Pakistan is in India's best interest. And to all those who are suggesting a federation of South Asian Nations - you need to go back on your medication.

LOL | 13 years ago | Reply Well Pakistan seems to lose every war it fights so clearly that strategy has not played out too successfully.

Mohammad Ali Siddiqui | 13 years ago | Reply If “War is not a solution to Pakistan’s problems” then why Government of Pakistan is fighting US war in Pakistan? Terrorist attacks and target killings are extension of “US war on terror”. If Prime Minister Gilani knows the solution then why couldn’t he stop US drone attacks in Pakistan in which uncounted innocent people are killed. Why our Army is fighting the war within our own country and making more enemies. Isn’t its better to talk with the bad guys to lay down the arms and live peacefully in the country. The only problem is that we always try to please our masters who give us financial aid which is never spent on people of Pakistan. If war is not a solution with India, it is also not a solution to fight a war within the territorial limits of Pakistan.

Chaturang | 13 years ago | Reply I can see comments from far too many indians on this. Koii pakistani ye newspaper padhta hai ya nahi? So many indians reading a pak paper ? Makes you think why ? Innate desire to know what happens with the dushman ?

Fact Check | 13 years ago | Reply As long as Pakistan keeps on bringing Kashmir and U.N> resolution which was ameliorated by the Simla Agreement, talks are going spin around in a mud pile. Politicians doesn't want to tell Pakistani's what is contained in the agreement. Those who are curious may want to take look: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simla_Agreement

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply Since Pakistan's army has yet to win a battle - it's pretty apparent that war is not the solution.- that's why Pakistan uses terror as part of it's strategic policy. It's abundantly clear that terrorism doesn't work either. Maybe Pakistan should consider getting rid of it's expensive/incompetent army, quit supporting terrorism, and take all that money and pent up anger and improve education,, economy, toilets, sewers and drag Pakistan into the 21 century.

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply The Kashmir issue for Pakistan's politicians and army has historically been a trick to divert attention and self examination of their own conduct and performance during their own tenure in office!! What has any pakistan government ever done for Local Kashmiri People? Any development of so called Azad Kashmir is purely due to its people who reside overseas and send remitances and investment in their local villages and towns!!! its a fact, i have been there and seen this process, and frankly those mirpuris in UK could not give a toss to what islamabad thinks as they already know that since independance , they have done nothing for them. The punjabis and sindhis politicians have been too busy with their agenda, but kashmir is important for their presence on international stage and for their India policy!!!!!

G. Din | 13 years ago | Reply @Suresh Singh: "War has never been a solution and will never be in future...." That is quite an extravagant statement. Do you know something which no government in the world does. Do tell us! Wishes for love-fests are no solutions either, I can tell you, especially between two utterly incompatible parties. The divorce rates go as high as 50% and that is between two individuals who started with being madly in love.

G. Din | 13 years ago | Reply @mani: to Khurshid Ali Singay: "...are there any one out there who thinks of a unified India like a unified germany. i.e. going back to pre partition India?? is is not worth a thought. we were divided by the west to serve their interest as otherwise we would have been too strong a country." Aside from the usual folly of blaming others as the best cop out from taking responsibility for making the choices we made, please tell us how much stronger is now unified Germany? You might also want to ask West Germans how much they relish the idea of reunification. It would be most ill-advised for India to take on the baggage of now floundering Pakistan. Even US is trying to wash off its hands of Pakistan. And, India is nowhere as rich as US!

satyram | 13 years ago | Reply Come on Gilani sahib, you are talking about peace ? If this is the case, yours is not a true islamic nation. If tomorrow China start speaking in same tone,then America will be in trouble because in that case no one will buy their weapons.

J Oberoi | 13 years ago | Reply War may not be the solution but neither is talk. We tried war, we tried talking. Nothing worked. The logical conclusion will be to bury this Kashmir issue forever simply because there is no solution to it.

chandran | 13 years ago | Reply Gillu mian the statement war is not the solution should be like this drone is not the solution because u r already being attacked by some one and now your talking about war with india. but before you give miltarly give fiting reply to the drone can u do that? I know u can't that is the reality.

Babloo | 13 years ago | Reply This is more nonsense from Pakistan PM and President. india is happy with its border and current status quo. Its Pakistan thats the so called unhappy party, unhappy with its borders and fomenting militant groups against India as the country survives with economic aid from the west. Zardari again harping on Kashmir. Once Pakistan understands that it will not get any part of Indian Kashmir and tells that clearly to its people, there will not be any change in Pakistan.

chandran | 13 years ago | Reply even if india and pakisthan goes to war it doesn't mean each other want to occupy others territory but each side of the population want to teach a lesson to other. some kind of emotional outburst to take out their anger. hum kissesea kam nahi ha concept. western world never understand that.

Goga | 13 years ago | Reply Its time patriotic Generals take charge of Pakistan and dethrone this weak civilian government. What sort of speech is this!

ashok sai | 13 years ago | Reply He said India and Pakistan should work together to tackle the menace of terrorism. If that be the case, why dont Pakistan supports India's UNSC permanent seat bid and start the initiative ?

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply Sorry to burst the baloon. This is all mere hogwash by the Pakistani PM. What real authority he has got to say this and has he taken the permission from concerned people to say this. It does not mean that Pakistan PM means war. He simply says something for the media. What he says is irrelevant in Pakistan on these issues Dont we all know where the foreign policy and security issues are decided for Pakistan in Pakistan. I will start believing when Hafiz sayeed says this.

sudhir | 13 years ago | Reply Gillu Mian I couldn't stop laughing, haven't u people exhausted all the options available; 3 or 4 full blown wars,terrorism and what not.If u want another war, we r ready for that also even the nuclear one

Tony Singh | 13 years ago | Reply Your actions will speak louder than your words Mr. Prime minister.

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply @mani: Its not a idea which can be considered due to religion, education, and social issues!!! its a non starter. Also one should realise the costs involved to intergrate, take the example of germany as you mentioned, the real cost is too high and even today one can see the difference between old east and west german areas, in terms of employments industries, education etc. I can not visualise any government asking the people for this mandate. Too many old wounds to heal as yet, and more new wounds to add. The solution was there in 1947 when this dastardly act should never have been commited of creating two state policy, but for the short sighted vision of All India muslim League and its leaders, who incidently were more western in their cultural and social ethos then the current leaders in pakistan.

Mulla Toofhan | 13 years ago | Reply Its good that the present Govt. Realizes the importance of dialogue between two nations. The people of Pakistan generally values the importance of friendly relations with its neighbour but there are powerful establishments in Pakistan which sees these as a threat to their Strategic values. The last four Wars with the neighbour cost Pakistan half of its Land and thousand of its people, but the lesson from it was deliberately ignored by these establishments in order to protect its Power and interest over Pakistan. They have gone as far as killing its own PM and promote Mayhem just to keep themself in real Power.

Suresh Singh | 13 years ago | Reply War has never been a solution and will never be in future. Both India and Pakistan have good examples of what war is to, and what it leads to. Both the countries have fought three war without moving an inch forward in resolving issues. On the other hand, wars fought between the two countries have destroyed huge resources, let alone casualities. The issue, however, remains unresolved. It is a truth that both countries are developing ones, and and badly suffereing from poverty, hunger, malnutrition, and many more undesirable and chronic problems. It is perhaps high time for both to come forward and greet each other in the path of development and promote mutual understanding. Only this can pave way for sustainable development of these two countries and also the South Asia region

anil | 13 years ago | Reply 1>Thanks to both parties that They have understood war is not the solution. 2>After 10 yrs,they will understand that Dialouge is not also the solution. 3>THE ONLY SOLUTION IS "TO SHOW FLEXIBILITY IN DEMAD BY BOTH SIDE WHICH WILL BE ACCEPTIBLE TO BOTH THE SIDES,SPECIALLY TO CITIZENS OF BOTH SIDES,NOT TO EXTREMISTS OF BOTH SIDES".

Aswatha Kumar | 13 years ago | Reply The Countries of the Indian Subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan,Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan,Myanmar, Indonesia) should form a Federation of nations and benefit from the progress of each other and live in peace.

mani | 13 years ago | Reply @Khurshid Ali Singay: are there any one out there who thinks of a unified India like a unified germany. i.e. going back to pre partition India?? is is not worth a thought. we were divided by the west to serve their interest as otherwise we would have been too strong a country.

Khurshid Ali Singay | 13 years ago | Reply Yes,this is the hard reality which the two sides have come by after decades of immaturity. War is a problem for both, not a solution. A stable Pakistan is in the interest of an economically growing India. And, a good relation with India is the need of Pakistan, so not to miss the flight with the growing economy of India which is ready to take off.

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply I hope the prime minster had wisdom to consult the army prior to making such statements, as they do not take it very kindly. Also since when has the army listened to the opinions of governments in pakistan? Remember Kargil? Who ordered that adventure? So prime minster should stop wasting his time on these stupid speeches and concerntrate on how to solve the country's financial & economic mess!!!! The people deserve that from this government, and to stop the blame game!!!

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