Nawaz Sharif during his joint press talk with US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office on Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP
Nawaz, who left for London immediately after his meeting with Obama in the Oval Office, told media that “hopefully soon the drone issue will be resolved according to the wishes of Pakistani people.”
The premier added that there will be progress on the matter as violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty was being committed. “I think this issue will now settle down somehow.”
Nawaz said “we talked about all issues,” in his meeting.
“I understand that in the past, all issues should have been discussed. But if these issues were not discussed in the past, it does not mean they should not be discussed now. Whatever we say, we act upon it. And I understand that Pakistan’s politics should come out of duplicity and hypocrisy.”
Referring to the Amnesty International report that states that the United States may be committing war crimes by using drones, Nawaz said “whatever they say, it is up to them. But I think I have raised this issue where it should have been raised. And when something is said, it does have its effect.”
Third party on Kashmir
Regarding his talks with the US leaders to help resolve the long standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said “the US should play a role.”
While India does not want any US role on the matter, Nawaz said Pakistan does want the US to play such a role.
“I have read and heard Indian Foreign Minister’s reaction to my earlier statement. We should talk to each other, and this would be a very good thing. But if bilateral negotiations do not succeed, then if third party helps in resolving the issue, there is no harm in it.”
Understanding concerns
Asked about Dr Aafia Siddiqui and Dr Shakeel Afridi, Nawaz said that while he could not say much on the issue, but that the US raised its concerns, as did Pakistan.
“They discussed Dr Shakeel, we did discuss Dr Aafia. Now we are going back to Pakistan; we will review the situation and will think about it. After we complete our review and analysis, then we will talk to you [media].”
Positive views
Nawaz, the need is to understand the concerns of each country, and that in response to the process of dialogue, Obama had positive views.
“Need of the hour is that we should understand each other’s concerns and then they should be addressed accordingly.”
“I think now we have started this process of dialogue, and you must have heard what Obama said today. I think his views were quite positive.”
Prime Minister Sharif said during his stay he met very important people in the US administration who showed keen interest on the issues of energy, economy and education.
“This shows that they are deeply interested in Pakistan’s progress. My meeting with President Obama was quite long and we discussed all issues.”
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