Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif says we need to set aside history of baggage

Zee Media Bureau Islamabad: A week after his alleged remarks on Kashmir causing another Indo-Pak war created a stir, Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif has now said that he has no option but to live in peace with India and that both the countries must hold regular National Security Level talks for dispelling the concerns related to terrorism. Speaking to Indian High Commissioner TCA Raghavan, Sharif said that the process of normalisation of relations must gain momentum as Pakistan was committed to having improved relations with its neighbours especially India. “Pakistan and India should institutionalise the mechanism of meetings between National Security Advisers of the two countries to discuss matters related to terrorism. It will help allay concerns of the two sides,” Pak PMO quoted Sharif as saying. "We need to work towards setting aside the baggage of history, prevailing mistrust and lack of flexibility. I am convinced that we have no option but to live in peace in the interest of the people of Pakistan and India," he added. Sharif’s comments come just a day before his younger brother and Pakistani Punjab’s Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will meet Indian PM Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. On the issue of Line of Control, Mr Sharif said that it was satisfying to see the recent calm at the border which has otherwise witnessed frequent ceasefire violations this year. To strengthen the situation, Sharif repeated that directors general of military operations of both the sides must meet frequently. "I believe that sincere and constructive measures need to be taken to reduce tension on the LoC and to ensure that the ceasefire agreement of 2003 remains intact," said Sharif. Sharif had last week stirred a hornet’s nest when a Pakistani newspaper had quoted him as saying that Kashmir issue could be the reason of another Indo-Pak war. The comment had drawn flak from Indian leaders, however the Pak PMO had later denied making any such remark. Other than Kashmir remaining the apple of discord between the two countries, Indo-Pak ties have taken a beating especially after Nov 2008 terror attacks for which some sections of the Pakistani establishment are alleged to have been in cahoots with the Pak-based Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group. The Mumbai terror attacks had killed 166 persons.