Resolving Kashmir solution to all our problems: Imran
PTI chief says that dialogue is the only way to solve issues.
"The honeymoon period is the best time for any government to take hard decisions." PTI Chairman Imran Khan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
NEW DELHI:
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said on Saturday that the solution to hostilities between Pakistan and India lay in Kashmir through talks, Hindustan Times reported.
"Everything stems from Kashmir. Both sides must sit down and sort out the Kashmir issue," Imran told Hindustan Times ahead of his session at the leadership summit in New Delhi.
“Pakistan’s (then) foreign minister, Shah Mehmud Qureishi, who was in India when the Mumbai attacks started, tells me the two countries were really close to forward movement on Kashmir. Resolving Kashmir is the solution to all our problems."
But Imran said that progress on Kashmir was not expected till electioneering ends in New Delhi and a new government takes charge. "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cannot take a decision on Kashmir now because elections are looming ahead."
"The honeymoon period is the best time for any government to take hard decisions."
Asked about what would Pakistan’s view would be if the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP)Narendra Modi wins next year’s elections, Imran insisted that dialogue was the only way to solve issues between the two countries, even if it is with Modi in the prime minister’s seat.
"Pakistan has reservations about Modi because of the riots and the communal violence in Gujarat, but a dialogue is always there between two democracies. If Modi emerges as the choice of the Indian people, we will have to respect that."
Imran referred to the talks with Taliban when speaking of Modi. "Hakimullah Mehsud was killed on the eve of talks with the Taliban. But if you stand for peace, then it’s not about personalities. When the BJP-led NDA came to power in India, Pakistan was bracing for new hostilities but Atal Behari Vajpayee broke the thaw. So maybe Modi too will moderate extremes if he comes to power."
“Pakistan is at a crossroads and it is imperative that we have a dialogue with the Taliban and bring some peace in the tribal areas, else India will have more than one militant group to worry about."
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan said on Saturday that the solution to hostilities between Pakistan and India lay in Kashmir through talks, Hindustan Times reported.
"Everything stems from Kashmir. Both sides must sit down and sort out the Kashmir issue," Imran told Hindustan Times ahead of his session at the leadership summit in New Delhi.
“Pakistan’s (then) foreign minister, Shah Mehmud Qureishi, who was in India when the Mumbai attacks started, tells me the two countries were really close to forward movement on Kashmir. Resolving Kashmir is the solution to all our problems."
But Imran said that progress on Kashmir was not expected till electioneering ends in New Delhi and a new government takes charge. "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cannot take a decision on Kashmir now because elections are looming ahead."
"The honeymoon period is the best time for any government to take hard decisions."
Asked about what would Pakistan’s view would be if the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP)Narendra Modi wins next year’s elections, Imran insisted that dialogue was the only way to solve issues between the two countries, even if it is with Modi in the prime minister’s seat.
"Pakistan has reservations about Modi because of the riots and the communal violence in Gujarat, but a dialogue is always there between two democracies. If Modi emerges as the choice of the Indian people, we will have to respect that."
Imran referred to the talks with Taliban when speaking of Modi. "Hakimullah Mehsud was killed on the eve of talks with the Taliban. But if you stand for peace, then it’s not about personalities. When the BJP-led NDA came to power in India, Pakistan was bracing for new hostilities but Atal Behari Vajpayee broke the thaw. So maybe Modi too will moderate extremes if he comes to power."
“Pakistan is at a crossroads and it is imperative that we have a dialogue with the Taliban and bring some peace in the tribal areas, else India will have more than one militant group to worry about."