LAHORE: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Monday that the well-being Indian and Pakistani people depended on the normalisation of relations between the two countries on a sustainable basis.
Addressing the 2nd Aman Ki Asha Economic Conference in Lahore, Gilani said, “The engine of economic growth is not fueled by regional tensions and conflicts" and that "it needs peace and an enabling environment.”
The conference was attended by industrialists, entrepreneurs and business professionals from both countries. “This shows the commitment of the private sector to develop economic relations between our two countries,” said the prime minister. “It is a matter of satisfaction that the business communities of two countries are exploring vistas of economic cooperation.”
He said that better trade relations between the two countries had “great potential for a bright future”.
“This is a region, where more than one-fifth of the world population resides and which is fast becoming one of the key drivers of the global economy.”
Gilani also said that the presence of the business community underlined the need of peace and normalisation of relations between the two countries. “This conference pushed forward the peace agenda and that of economic cooperation at a time when tensions ran high between India and Pakistan.”
Recalling the first conference in December 2009, the premier said that he had extended unwavering support to the cause of peace and people-to-people contact on behalf of people and the government.
“Notwithstanding the ups and downs in our bilateral relations, our support to the cause of peace and normalization of relations with India has remained steadfast. This is because trade between our countries is to our best advantage. Let me add here that Pakistan’s closest friend and strategic partner, China, is also in favour of our normalization of relations with India,” he said.
COMMENTS (29)
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Pakistan has proven over and over again, it won't change.
If it talks peace with India, it is only because it is in very serious trouble. When things look up even a little bit, it will be back to its old game.
So, why bother, end all relations.
@Hayat Gul: Hayat ji
You think you're a Sherlock Holmes in reasoning...Apparently NOT....
India's population is close to China,but please look at the map of India... Check the area which is under the Indus River belt and then compare the area of Pakistan which depends on the water from Indus River....
You talk as if the entire population of India is nurtured by the Indus River,whereas the most populated areas of pakistan is around the Indus belt...
Therefore,Naresh's point is perfectly valid... Also,there has been many studies done by international agencies and they have concluded that India has never violated Indus water sharing act of 1950 which is strange if u consider the political history of both the countries...
Fully agree we MUST have normal & friendly relations with our neighbors! Especially India which is the biggest neighbor of ours. but will our ARMY allow the poor politicians
@Afzal Khan:
If teh majority of Pakistanis have the fank and candid acceptance of facts you stated, Pakistan will certainly have a good future. On the other hand, if most of the Paksitanis think like @Roflcopter, as you have observed, Paksitan's future will be very dim.
@Afzal Khan:
Mr Khan , you are very right. Pakistanis are talented and deserve a lot better.
Unfortunately, few people are there like you who really understand what Pakistan has become and what Potential Pakistan had for success
Mr. Gilani, the world has dehyphenated India-Pakistan long time ago!
@Roflcopter:
You seem to be filled with hate. As a Pakistani, I feel pained to read your comments which you painstakingly write in response to many articles in this paper, and which play like a broken record -- no peace with India, Kashmir, no accountability for Mumbai, freedom for killers and terrorists, etc. etc. People like you have deprived an entire Pakistani generation, including this writer, of opportunities which peace could have offered both sides, but your myopic thinking is conditioned by the senseless and utterly negative hate-mongering of mullahs and the military, both dwelling incessantly on Kashmir and anti-India position. The world has moved on but Pakistan still remains a backward, unstable and, frankly, bankrupt nation (read reports of World Bank and other institutions). We are being grouped with rogue states such as Somalia, North Korea, Iran, Yemen and others. India has become a darling of the world. Even China, our "all-weather-friend", looks at Pakistan with disdain, its interest in a relationship with Pakistan is, mainly, conditioned by self-serving, strategic thinking., We have become a joke -- and in no small measure because of people like you.
@Roflcopter: "India doesn’t want normalisation so why do we bother?"
Your normal is not our or the worlds normal.
The well being of Indians have been relatively pretty good even with bad relationship with Pakistan.
@Naresh: Sajida:You stated :The big issue is WATER! if they can normalise over that other things are easy....Moral : Make Water Not Babies!.
What an Idiotic Analysis. I THINK THERE ARE NO SHORTAGE OF FOOLS IN THE WORLD AND SPECIALLY INDIA. Whose Population is equals to Chinese population now? India's? Forget about the Growth rate That's a comparative Folly. If the number is Higher originally then a small percentage of it renders a bigger number and a next Commulative number is even higher That's what India's Population growth is all about. In other words If today's Indian Population we assume is 1300 Million people, then 3.35% rate of growth will add another 43Million people next year to the total Population. That means 4.3 Crore more which is almost 25% percent of current Pakistani population of 170.5Million people. it means that India if keep adding that number 4 years at this rate , can equal the Current Pakistani Population in 4years i.e add another Pakistan (equal) Into India. Which will create more pressure on every resource including water. And where that water is going to come from? from the same existing water resources.
Moral : Do not lecture If you have superficial Knowledge or No Knowledge at all. . There Endeth the Lesson . Cheers
@Batman: there is no such policy, imaginary things cannot be considered as facts. Wow you copied the ISI line word to word. I am impressed.
Well beings of Indians (they know how to take care) most Important is you/your cabinet/ party leave, that itself will take care Pakistani's well being.
@Indian: . “China, is also in favour of our normalization of relations with India.” . So there is china factor. . Of course, my Dear Sir!. . Pakistan has no intention of such a "Policy" or "Act". It is only done to placate the Chinese. . Cheers
Dear Mr. PM - you are not quite there yet. I would have given you full marks if you had said - 'Well-being of Pakistanis depends on normalisation of relations'.
Well normalisation of relations should take place and both countries should work together for that. However at the same time Pakistan actually has more to gain than India as India is already doing well and Pakistan needs catching up . BTW I am neutral here Swiss Diplomat and the above is my opinion after having been in Pakistan as/in official capacity..
Well normalisation of relations should take place and both countries should work together for that. However at the same time Pakistan actually has more to gain than India as India is already doing well and Pakistan needs catching up .
BTW I am neutral here Swiss Diplomat and the above is my opinion after having been in Pakistan as/in official capacity..
The time is rolling in his own. We are not to see its all dimentions but to discuss the evidences whatever is available . We live in a world where flow of information moulds our destiny . Let's wait and see .
@Sajida: . You stated :
The big issue is WATER! if they can normalise over that other things are easy. meanwhile both countries are ruining Siachen glacier and harming millions on both sides since WATER is precious resource in these water resource stressed countries. . Pakistan's "stressed" Per Capita Water Availability is not due to reduction of Waters entering Pakistan from India. . Pakistan's Problem is due to the glaring fact that the Pakistani Population has INCREASED SIX TIMES SINCE 1951. . India's water availability is comparatively better as the Indian Population growth in the corresponding period has increased by 3.35 Times. . Moral : Make Water Not Babies! . There Endeth the Lesson . Cheers
It's a grand goal which should be supported by everyone. However - how do you maintain a stable relationship with India when the majority of your country is being controlled by militants which view India as an enemy - whether you like it or not your responsible for their actions and until that issue is resolved your sitting on a ticking time bomb. You need to take control/responsibility of all of your territory before you can truly normalize ties with India. Something that your a long way from accomplishing.
The big issue is WATER! if they can normalise over that other things are easy. meanwhile both countries are ruining Siachen glacier and harming millions on both sides since WATER is precious resource in these water resource stressed countries.
@Chulbul Pandey: "India is fast progressing along with the rest of the world" omg rofl "and the fact is that Pakistan has yet to abandon terrorism as it's state policies" there is no such policy, imaginary things cannot be considered as facts.
@Chulbul Pandey: An apt comment since its true that Pakistan economy would not have been in such a dire state if it had close ties with India in both trade and foreign affairs. Sincerely hope that Pakistan reciprocates friendship gestures from India, reduces its defence expenditure and focus on its economy which is good for both countries as pointed out by Mr Gilani.
"Hujoor aate aate...... bahut der kar di"
India is fast progressing along with the rest of the world and you guys have been stuck in past. Statements like these are cute at best but your actions speak louder. And the fact is that Pakistan has yet to abandon terrorism as it's state policies (with the help of non-state actors).
India doesn't want normalisation so why do we bother?
We can look after our well-being quite well, thank you very much. You worry about Pakistan.
Indians would be more than happy if ISI and Pakistan army thinks like this. if they give up proxy war against Indian state and people of India
"China, is also in favour of our normalization of relations with India." So there is china factor.