Every time dialogue between Pakistan and India gains momentum, it is interrupted by some untoward incident, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Tuesday.
Islamabad wants an “uninterrupted and uninterruptable” peace process with New Delhi, but would never compromise its principled position on core issues, she added.
“Uninterrupted and uninterruptible dialogue means we want to hold meaningful and result-oriented talks, and for that, both sides need to ensure a conducive environment in which two countries can talk about core issues, including Kashmir, and move towards a resolution,” Khar said.
Briefing the National Assembly on her maiden India visit, Khar in her policy statement said, “We want to build trust with countries such as India and Afghanistan and begin a new era of cooperation.”
She informed the House that during her visit, the two sides held ministerial and secretaries-level talks on eight issues, including counter-terrorism, economic and commercial cooperation, Wullar Barrage, Siachen, Sir Creek, peace and security including CBMs, Jammu and Kashmir and the promotion of friendly exchanges.
“He [the Indian foreign minister] got a message from Pakistan that we are serious in engaging with India. It is our desire to engage with India in a meaningful way,” she said.
Pakistan raised water issues and emphasised on the need for respecting the Indus Water Treaty, and both countries had agreed to uphold the sanctity of the treaty, Khar added.
The foreign minister said that during her stay in New Delhi, she met with Kashmiri leaders including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and assured them of Islamabad’s commitment for continued support towards the Kashmir cause.
Khar said that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved peacefully, and in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris.
She said India had conveyed its concerns over terrorism and the trial on Mumbai attacks while both sides had agreed to hold separate meetings of experts on nuclear and conventional CBMs in Islamabad in September. The two countries also agreed to resume the work of the Pakistan-India Joint Commission.
Khar added that the two countries had also agreed to enhance existing facilities for travel and trade across the Line of Control (LoC).
Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2011.
COMMENTS (38)
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@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: " .... India looks to split into various many parts like Khalistan, some in North and some in East by Maos, RSS and Shiv Senaas soon. As per your home Minister India too have Local and indegenious LOCAL TERRORISTS. ... "
Dr. Sid, the following scenario has a very likely change of unfolding in Pakistan. You should worry more about how you and your family will be affected, rather than repeatedly referring to Khalistan, Maoists, R.S.S, Shiv Sena, etc.
Here goes:
1) Unrest in Sindh by nationalists and non-nationalists over plan to separate Karachi and Hyderabad into a separate province - a.k.a Mohajir sooba.
2) ANP/Pashtuns in Karachi join Sindhi Nationalists fearing Karachi and Hyderabad will pass into control of Mohajirs. Given MQM's penchant for violence, non-Urdu speakers fear possible ethnic cleansing.
3) Violence flares up again in Karachi, as the talks for separating Karachi and Hyderabad into provinces take place. The situation degenerates into Urdu speakers vs others. Punjabis get caught in the crossfire.
4) Pakistan military has to be called into Karachi. But the military is already stretched out - guarding the western and eastern borders.
5) Martial law declared. Elected government overthrown.
6) Situation still not under control. Taliban/Al-Q operatives sense opportunity and entrench themselves in Karachi Port - disrupting shipping, trade and commerce. Pakistan Navy ordered to sail out to sea to prevent assets from falling into Taliban/Al-Q hands.
7) Pakistan requests UN intervention.
8) China occupies Gilgit Baltistan on pretext of protecting "developmental projects". India airdrops troops and equipment into Gilgit Baltistan and in a supreme twist of irony, Indian troops and detachments from the N.L.I stand face to face against the Chinese.
9) Your guess is as good as mine.
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enitre pakisthan to belongs to india that's the truth LOL HAHA
@Ali: "Ask your government to follow UN’s resolution to let the Kashmiri’s decide their own fate. "
Do think hard before you ask for implementation of UN resolutions. You must pray that the Indians don't suddenly come out and ask for its implementation. With only the choices of India or Pakistan, do you really think that any sane Kashmir who is not an Islamist would want to join Pakistan that exists today?
Also, realize that the first condition for the resolution is for Pakistan to withdraw all of its military forces and non-Kashmiri settlers from Pakistan occupied Kashmir that includes Gilgit/Baltistan and all of the northern areas. Then there is the question of the territory that Pakistan ceded to china.
@Bhola:
I didn't know Manmohan Singh is a Brahman!
@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi:
I am a Pakistani.. Of course Mohajir too.. Who fedup with....... every thing.. Sorry for my comments... I may be wrong.. but I have posted my Opinion.
Khudha Hafiz
To the daydreamers of Kashmir.....
There is nothing wrong in talking about Kashmir which is helpful in solving some misunderstandings by way of opening trade routes & visas, people to people contact etc. But beyond that no govt in India can do anything. They dont have the mandate from the people to give Kashmir to Pakistan which in turen will then sublet it to their all whether friend China just like Akasi Chin. Kashmir is already a solved problem as far as we Indians are concerned. We have no problem if your minister talks with a few handfull of separtists who cannot do anything except keep their movement alive by stone pelting small protests otherwise they will lose their hold in their followers..These cowards are even afraid of facing the people in the elections held so far. They know even their family will not vote for them. India is not a banana republic like Pakistan and with its expanding economic clout all these problems will be dumbed under the carpets within a few years of time. .
@Dr.Saleem, atleast in Ramzan u should speak the truth. Pakistan is not supporting Kashmiri cause ONLY MORALLY. The whole world knows what Pakistan is doing in Kashmir. At least you be truthfull in Ramzan period. Other wise you will simply be a curse for islam.
May the Prophet(PBWH) the most benavolent forgive you and give 72 virgins in heaven.
@M.Akthar: to Ashok Sai *"....& the day will come, Inshallah, when Pakistan flag will fly high in Kashmir and Uigher
s province in China, if not over India & China. Its just a matter time. "* We have gotten used to Pakistanis' unconcealed desire to see Pakistan flag flying high in Kashmir, also Red Fort in Delhi. But, have you told China, your "higher-than-the-Himalayas" friend that you are also intending to fly your flag over "Uighers province in China"? That should be music to its ears. Get out of your la-la land! You look like an overgrown fool!@M.Akthar: Charity starts at home. First take care of Muslims in Pakistan.
@M.Akthar: You are one up on Zaid Hamid .
Freedom flows from within. Kashmiris will have to liberate Kashmir themselves. They should not have used Pakhtuns/Taliban to fight on their behalf.
Afridis and Mehsoods did the job in 1947. Now Kashmiris should do it themselves.
@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: By the way Khalistan issue is closed long back. Shiv sena in mumbai oh they just have Big mouth nothing else. Maoist yeah but only solution is economy. We are getting economically stronger and stronger. We want to reduce poverty and educate eah and every indian. It will take time but eventually we will achieve it as time passes.
@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: If you get time try to visit karachi for ground realities. South Africa has created lots of illusions in your mind. No offence to south africa which we admire alot for Nelson mandela and the country admire our nation's father mr. gandhi. Salute to South Africa from an Indian. I hope they overcome problems like slum, racisum, poverty. We too are facing similar difficulties.
@Ali: You actually need to read the contents of the resolution first and meet with the criteria stated, which you can not do so, as you have handed over a part of disputed territory to the chinese, further more you have changed the demographics of the indegenous population in POK too!!! So before making such demands, i suggest you revert the conditions as they were at the time of UN recommendations and than come back.
@MAD who madly says "Resolution to kashmir is very simple. One referendum, three options. whichever one is choen, thats the way kashmir goes."
I have a better solution, since we Hindians do not want to lose Hindu land, let's simply turn LOC into a border. This is the best solution for Pakistan, lest they lose their occupied part as well.
@narayana murthy: Its your dream buddy, that Pakistan did not accept Mohajirs or Balochis.....Its your false news spreading around the world. I m Firstly Pakistani and secondly Mohajir and I can tell you how much love i got from Punjabis, Pathans, Sindhis and Balochis....
There are some defaulters not only in Pakistan but they are present all over the world (watch your country with true eyes..how many peoples are dying with hunger? and you are claiming economic improvements, improve your false media first),
Moreover, You can not evaluate the peoples love by few of these corrupt defaulters by ignoring the majority of loving and educated peoples...
We are one nation and we love each other....
Pakistan Zindabad
@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: Man you have let my heart smile, by giving wise answers to these good for nothing Indians commenters.....
@Saleem Siddiqui.
Kashmiris who are seperatists (and traitors as per Indian law) are a minority, being operated by Pakistan. Just like the Razzakkars of the erstwhile East Pakistan.
These people are welcome to go to Pakistan. Pakistan has not yet accepted their mohajirs (or Balochis), so I wonder how they will accept Kashmiris.
Kashmir (which is derived from a sanskrit word) is a Hindu land and will always be. Muslims are heartily welcome to live here as Indians. Any seperatism/insurgency/terrorism will be crushed with brute force, like you so eloquently put it.
As far as Balochistan is concerned, your government has no proof of India's involvement. Nonetheless, I firmly believe that India should support all seperatism in Pakistan. Afterall, Pakistan is a crowd (it has been living like a crowd for the last 60 years) and not a country.
@ashok sai:
Kashmiris are fighting their independence war since very many years and sacrificed thousands as martydom by Indian brute forces. It is insult telling them as separistis. This is genuine uprising in Kashmir which India wants to crush by force. This is the reasons India is so scared that it is keeping its armed forces in the held Kashmir against the wishes of Kashmir people. Indian forces are busy in genocide of these unarmed people. UN has also recognize this fact and a resolution to this effect is still pending to be implemented by UN. Pakistan is only giving moral support to these independent seeking people and meeting with them in Pakistan Embassy is no harm to listen to their view points.
@Kasim.Lahore: Keeping your suffix as Lahore does not means that you are Pakistani and I can smell your haterd towards pakistan in your message. If you are Indian say so no body will harm you. Pakistan did morally supported Kashmiris, it will continue to give maximum moral support at all local and international levels to them unless they are liberated inshallah as an independent State of Kashmir.
@chandran: India is already doing subversive activities in Baluchistan. Is that not enough and quench your thirst. You better concentrate on Khalistan issue in your Panjab, Shev Sena in Mumbai and Maos who will soon be your leaders and will have separate pieces of India.
Regards
Dr. Saleem Siddiqi Johannesburg - South Africa.
Resolution to kashmir is very simple. One referendum, three options. whichever one is choen, thats the way kashmir goes. I have absolutely no issue with kashmir going to India as i know they dont desire a union with Pakistan.
@chandran:
Go ahead. as it is thy're more trouble than they're worth. BTW i believe the seperatists are currently based in England and Switzerland.
@Ashok Sai. Just remember, Islamic Republic of Pakistan will oppose all kinds of oppression of muslims by non-muslims anywhere in the world. India & China are no exceptions & the day will come, Inshallah, when Pakistan flag will fly high in Kashmir and Uigher`s province in China, if not over India & China. Its just a matter time. Happy Ramadan to the my brothers and sisters.
@Ali and other Pakistanis who talk of UN resolution.
UN resolution has a lot of conditions, which are, more than India, not met by Pakistan.
In other words, Pakistan's actions have rendered the UN resolution useless. But of course, as usual, most Pakistanis read fabricated history in their textbooks and remain their heads buried.
One thing India has mastered in talk the talk endlessly. We are not in a hurry, we will wait for India to disintegrate. Khalistan and Maoistan will be a better neighbours, i am sure!! The current brahman contriolled politico-corporate-elitist-mafia will be running to Canada pretty soon :-)
@Ali: Do you even understand the UN Resolution rules ? One : Not to change the demography which we Pakistanis very grossly violated by letting Sindhi and Punjabi settlers in Pakistan Kashmir and two : we sold a piece of Kashmir to China. So unless we change back the demography to original inhabitants and get back the land we sold to China, we are not in any rightful position to demand plebiscite. We lost that battle long time ago. But our leaders and mullahs keep misleading common people by talking about plebiscite. They have no clue what UN resolution exactly is. And most of us Pakistani are simply supporting the idea with belief that Kashmiris will join Pakistan. Just shows how far we are from reality. Kashmir does not want to be with India and certainly not with Pakistan either. And if you think having another muslim nation will be strategically helpful to Pakistan then please check Pakistan's relationship with other "muslim" countries in it;s neighbor. So for whatever reason you are supporting UN resolution, please understand the true fact of what that resolution means. Khuda Hafiz!
my beloved pakisthani brothers should allow our krishna to meet Baluch rebel leaders to extend our moral support to them LOL
Did Pakistan government talk to sepratist people in Balochistan like bukti or kill them ??... They should themself make example at home then........
@ashok sai: For your information, many educated Pakistanis don't like Pakistan to interfere in Kashmir issue. This issue needs to be solved themselves by Kashmiris. We are not a Broker for Kashmir.
But it is encouraged by some one who are benefitted due to this rivalry. Common peole of Pakistan like me are not at all benefitted due to Kashmir issue.
Kashmir isuue is a Liability . Not an Asset for both India and Pakstan.
@ Mr.Ashok Sai
What makes you think that talking with the Indian Government signifies any strategic change by Pakistan towards the Kashmir issue? Secondly as per the admission of your own government rolling back talks after the Mumbai incident was a mistake on your part so i am sure you do have something to gain from Pakistan as a neighbor. Please be very clear that the Indian government has no right to dictate to us regarding who we talk to and who we meet. Furthermore the meeting with Kashmiri leaders you are referring to happened on your own soil so the message should be loud and clear for you that we will keep talking to Kashmiri leaders who are the real representatives of the Kashmiri people and not stooges installed by the Indian Government to protect the Indian interests and if it isn't acceptable to you then so be it.
@ashok sai:
Ask your government to follow UN's resolution to let the Kashmiri's decide their own fate.
she met with Kashmiri leaders including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and assured them of Islamabad’s commitment for continued support towards the Kashmir cause.
There ends the issue, Dear Madam, either you talk with those separatists or with Indian Government, these kind of front and back lobbying will not be acceptable to us. If you continue to do this, we will be very happy to remain like this as we have nothing to gain from you as a neighbour.