Pakistan wants peace in region but Indian response disappointing: PM

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has said one sided efforts cannot bear any fruit and Pakistan wants peace in the region, however regretted that the Indian response has so far been disappointing. Talking to the Indian journalists in Islamabad, Imran Khan said that he has approached India from day one in office saying that his country will take two steps if New Delhi takes one to improve ties. He said he felt India’s lack of response to Pakistan’s outreach seemed to be governed by electoral calculations. Imran Khan said that India will have to respond to Pakistan’s peaceful gestures in order to move forward to address the longstanding disputes. He said there is complete consensus in Pakistan for developing better relations with India. PM Khan said dialogue is the only option for Pakistan and India to move forward on the path of peace. “Pakistan has suffered colossal losses both in men and material due to the war on terrorism,” the premier said. “Let me tell you, terrorism isn’t in the interest of Pakistan or India.” The prime minister pointed out that Kashmir is the only core issue between the two countries. He said the solution of this problem is possible provided the leadership of both the countries demonstrate will towards that end. “Even the issue of Kashmir could be resolved through dialogue, and went on to add that if India couldn’t do, it should at least do something for the people of Occupied Kashmir,” he added. He stressed that there are great dividends of peace between the two neighboring countries. He said the resolution of Kashmir dispute will benefit the whole sub-continent as it open the region for trade and economic activities. Imran Khan said both Pakistan and India are nuclear powered states and they cannot afford any confrontation. He said it will be his utmost effort to normalize relations both with India and Afghanistan. On Kartarpur Corridor, Prime Minister Imran Khan said it was the long standing demand of Sikh community. He said we are also ready to facilitate Hindu and Budh pilgrims to visit their holiest sites in Pakistan. To a question, the prime minister said it is not in our interest to have the territory to be used against any other country. He said India has not changed its mindset regarding allegations of terrorism against Pakistan. Imran Khan said Pakistan has developed a national action plan with consensus of all political parties. This plan is aimed at ensuring that no armed group is allowed to operate from our soil.