Ties with India: Pakistan wants relationship based on self-respect, says Nawaz
Talking to reporters accompanying him back from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit, the prime minister said India should not have cancelled the foreign secretary level talks in August.
“We had been talking to the Kashmiri leaders in the past, whenever Pakistan-India talks are held. This is nothing new as we have to seek the opinion of the Kashmiri leaders, on an issue that concerns them the most,” he said.
Premier Nawaz said Pakistan wishes to pursue talks from a position of dignity, honour and self-respect. “We believe in it and will maintain it at all costs.”
He said Pakistan has always sincerely desired meaningful dialogue with India and wants it to be reciprocated from the other side. However, he categorically stated that “if India wants to restore ties, the Kashmir issue must be discussed and that too seriously, with full sincerity.”
The prime minister recalled the number of deaths in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) due to unprovoked firing by the Indian troops along the Line of Control and working boundary. To a question, he said this issue would also be taken up with India when the talks resume.
He reiterated his stance that since it was India that called off the talks, the onus of starting the dialogue lies with it.
Nawaz, when questioned about the November 30 protest call by Imran Khan, said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief was pursuing a ‘personal agenda’ which was targeting the progress and development of Pakistan.
He said the people of Pakistan have rejected the politics of negativity as they know who was sincere to the welfare of the masses and committed to the progress and development of Pakistan.
“Did the people give them [PTI] votes so that they could hold Pakistan hostage or to go to the assemblies to play their role of a healthy opposition,” he asked. “Their only objective is to get my resignation,” he said.
The premier said the nation should ask Imran why he wants to “destabilise the country, [and] create poverty, unemployment and chaos.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2014.
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The Prime Minister meant "Mutual Respect" not self respect which every healthy human has! He should get rid of his advisers and speech writers who are from 70's.
Rex Minor
In English there is a saying: "Give respect to take respect" Nawaz should know that. If Pakistan establishment stops infiltrating terrorists into India, then India will stop firing towards Pakistan.
Respect and especially self-respect has to be earned, not demanded.
At last NS could save nation's dignity, self-respect and honour. Good going for both nations.
self praise and self demand.Go and earn dignity and respect because those are not demanded.India has made it clear no talk whatsoever if terrorism continues,India has already suspended talks for 7 full years and is prepared to do so indefinitely,pakistan has no other options except keep harping on local TV's.
" Pakistan wants relationship based on self-respect, says Nawaz" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Then commence acts that build self esteem. eg prosecute the 26/11 guilty. Self respect has to be earned, right?
Who is respecting Pakistan in the world, let alone India ??? :))) Brand pakistan has no taker... countries wants to engage pakistan just for their own security!
And the self respect is - India should not retaliate to Pakistan's firing from across the border and allow the Pakistani "strategic assets" to wreck havoc in India.