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Full Indo-Pak diplomatic relations soon: Jamali
Islamabad, May 06: Pakistan today announced restoration of full diplomatic relations, air, train and bus links as also sporting ties with India and called for confidence-building measures on nuclear issues and a comprehensive dialogue, including on Kashmir.
Islamabad, May 06: Pakistan today announced restoration of full diplomatic relations, air, train and bus links as also sporting ties with India and called for confidence-building measures on nuclear issues and a comprehensive dialogue, including on Kashmir.
Unveiling a slew of confidence building measures at a press conference here, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and said Pakistan would continue to cooperate
with international community to eliminate this scourge.
However, in a veiled reference to Kashmir, Jamali, who got opposition backing to the peace moves at an all-party meeting last night, said of equal importance was the promotion of regional peace and security in regions of the world "suffering from tensions and unresolved conflicts."
Jamali skirted the question of Pakistan`s stand on cross-border terrorism by saying "the two countries needed to think about 21st century solutions, as the 20th century solutions were outmoded." Jamali also declined answer the question whether Pakistan would open its airspace to Indian overflights. Pakistan has so far declined permission for the use of its airspace by Indian planes, despite India having announced the decision to do so.
Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights in response to a similar ban announced by India, following the December 13, 2001 terror attack on Indian parliament.
While announcing the measures, he also said that he enjoyed wide support in Pakistan for his initiatives. "It is a matter of great satisfaction for me that in the endeavour we have undertaken, I enjoy the fullest support of the people and all major political parties whom I have consulted. With this national consensus we are ready to engage in a serious and substantive dialogue with India," he said.
Jamali said he was hopeful that the new peace process between the two countries could succeed as it was being initiated under different circumstances and conditions. Jamali said Pakistan would make arrangements to host the Saarc summit and would approach the Saarc secretary-general to ascertain the convenience of the member states for convening the event well before the end of this year.
The summit planned for January this year was postponed by Pakistan following inability of India and some other Saarc countries to attend it.
Jamali expressed the hope that the confidence building measures would further the relations between the two countries. "We believe that all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India must be addressed sincerely and constructively and in a composite manner through a sustained dialogue with a sense of priority.
Bureau Report
However, in a veiled reference to Kashmir, Jamali, who got opposition backing to the peace moves at an all-party meeting last night, said of equal importance was the promotion of regional peace and security in regions of the world "suffering from tensions and unresolved conflicts."
Jamali skirted the question of Pakistan`s stand on cross-border terrorism by saying "the two countries needed to think about 21st century solutions, as the 20th century solutions were outmoded." Jamali also declined answer the question whether Pakistan would open its airspace to Indian overflights. Pakistan has so far declined permission for the use of its airspace by Indian planes, despite India having announced the decision to do so.
Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian flights in response to a similar ban announced by India, following the December 13, 2001 terror attack on Indian parliament.
While announcing the measures, he also said that he enjoyed wide support in Pakistan for his initiatives. "It is a matter of great satisfaction for me that in the endeavour we have undertaken, I enjoy the fullest support of the people and all major political parties whom I have consulted. With this national consensus we are ready to engage in a serious and substantive dialogue with India," he said.
Jamali said he was hopeful that the new peace process between the two countries could succeed as it was being initiated under different circumstances and conditions. Jamali said Pakistan would make arrangements to host the Saarc summit and would approach the Saarc secretary-general to ascertain the convenience of the member states for convening the event well before the end of this year.
The summit planned for January this year was postponed by Pakistan following inability of India and some other Saarc countries to attend it.
Jamali expressed the hope that the confidence building measures would further the relations between the two countries. "We believe that all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India must be addressed sincerely and constructively and in a composite manner through a sustained dialogue with a sense of priority.
Bureau Report