Breakdown of Pak-India peace process to benefit terrorists; Gilani

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani

Resumption of negotiations for the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues including the core issue of Kashmir was the only way forward for establishing lasting peace in South Asia.

ISLAMABAD, June 5: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said only terrorists can gain from breakdown of Pak-India peace process and resumption of all outstanding issues was the only way forward for establishing lasting peace in South Asia. Addressing participants at the National Defence University Prime Minister Gilani said, “we hope that the Indian leadership would realize, sooner than later, that the breakdown of peace process works only to the advantage of terrorists.”

Gilani pointed to the Mumbai incident, following which India opted to put the ongoing peace process on hold and termed it ‘unfortunate.’ “We on our part remain committed to have friendly, cooperative and good neighbourly relations with India,” the prime minister said.

He said resumption of negotiations for the peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues including the core issue of Kashmir was the only way forward for establishing lasting peace in South Asia.

Gilani said regrettably bilateral ties with India have always been characterized by suspicion and mistrust and at the heart of this mistrust lies the core issue of Kashmir.

“We have made sincere efforts to put the relations back on track by persisting with composite dialogue and made noteworthy progress towards confidence building, bilateral trade and people to people contacts.”

The prime minister said it was part of his vision for Pakistan that national consensus was built and an amicable resolution of the long outstanding issue of Kashmir is sought.

The Prime Minister who in his speech covered various aspects of his government said in the sphere of external affairs, he personally took the initiative to normalize and improve our relations with all our neighbours.

He said a fundamental and qualitative transformation has taken place in Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan in the past one year.

About Iran he said Pakistan’s relations with Iran stand greatly improved and it has supported EU-Iran dialogue for peaceful resolution of its nuclear issue. Pakistan also opposed the use of coercive measures against it; did not support referral of its case to the UN Security Council; signed Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project despite the international pressure and cooperated in curbing an extremist group’s activities on our common border.

He said Pakistan also seeks a long term strategic partnership with the US, based on principles of mutual respect and trust.

“Our multifaceted relations, rooted in active political interaction, have made significant strides in the past one year in fostering strengthened cooperation in economic, trade, defence and counter terrorism fields.”

He Pakistan welcomes the US pledge for early passage of Kerry-Lugar and ROZs Bills; its economic and military assistance; support for Pakistan in IFIs and in Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum and Donor’s Conference and the promise for ‘constructive diplomacy’ with India to lessen tensions in South Asia.

Gilani however, said that Pakistan has conveyed its serious concerns about the continuation of drone attacks and on certain aspects of President Obama’s review of US policy on Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“We have also made it known to the US side that the proposed conditionalities on the future economic and military assistance will be counterproductive.”

About relations with Pakistan’s time-tested friend China, Gilani said these have gone from strength to strength and remain the central pillar of his government’s foreign policy.

“We intend to continue building and strengthening this solid foundation and take these relations to new heights in the future,” the prime minister said.

He said Pakistan’s ties with the Muslim world were an important pillar in Pakistan’s foreign policy and the government was determined to add substance to them by expanding our ties in multidimensional fields.

“Similarly we want to build upon and give priority to our existing cordial relations with the EU and ASEAN countries, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Canada and African and South American States.”

(APP)