London, Aug 04: Observing that both India and Pakistan "have to make sacrifices" to resolve the Kashmir problem, Pakistani Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali said India "being bigger and more powerful," must make greater concessions. "The core issue is Kashmir. Well, India occupies the larger territory of Kashmir, and it has to make concessions. We have to ask for concessions for the Kashmiris from India," the Pakistani Prime Minister said while participating in a British television programme broadcast last night. Without spelling out what sort of concessions he was expecting, Jamali said, "We are watching for how many concessions is India ready."
Asked specifically how the two countries would reach an understanding, the Pakistan Prime Minister said, "We cannot leave things for future. We have to decide. For this both sides would have to make sacrifices. Without this issues cannot be resolved."
When reminded of his statement that India would have to make concessions, Jamali said, "Both sides would have to make sacrifices. And in this, if the big country makes a concession of say one hundred rupees, the smaller one can also make a concession of a rupee and a half. But both sides would have to make sacrifices."
Asked specifically which were the concrete steps that would improve relations between the two countries, the Pakistani leader said the first one has already been taken, that the process of dialogue has begun after two years.
Welcoming Indian government's decision to participate in the Saarc Summit in Islamabad in January next year, Jamali said, "Our effort would be that keeping this in front of us, adopt proactive stances for sports, economy, travel, public to public contact, and for visa for the people in all these fields, so that the people can see and feel all these steps being taken.”
Answering a specific question when he would meet Vajpayee, Jamali quipped, "When Vajpayee wants, I am ready to meet him."
Answering another question, Jamali said, "I have sincerity of purpose, and an urge to succeed. Personally I am convinced that this can be achieved. This is the intention of Prime Minister Vajpayee also. With the grace of God, we are trying and if you are sincere, God helps you."
Replying to a pointed question on how he expected the two countries to make progress when they were still levelling allegations against each other on different issues and that there were reports of frequent firing along the Line of Control, Jamali said, "There has been steady progress in normalisation of relations, but to reach the destination, this process would have to be step-by-step.”
"Well, at the moment both the countries have appointed their high commissioners, we are saying we want better relations, the bus service has also started. First meeting for restoring the air link is taking place on August 27. We also hope the Samjhauta Express would start soon. We are moving step by step," said the Pakistani PM.
Jamali also refuted the charge that Pakistan was the epicentre of terrorism. "It is an issue of differences in understanding the problem. Taliban ruled in Afghanistan and not in Pakistan. The bases of al-Qaeda were in that country, where America bombarded them.
Claiming that al-Qaeda had no base in Pakistan, Jamali said, "If anybody comes here, we are taking action in accordance with the law. The allegation against us is totally false."
Answering a question on the UN resolution on Kashmir, Jamali said he would be happy if it was implemented.
To another question on militants crossing over from Pakistan into Kashmir, Jamali claimed, "Pakistan has never supported terrorism and we have never appreciated it as well. Pakistan itself has been a victim of terrorism."
Asked whether he would be meeting Vajpayee on the sidelines of UN General Assembly, Jamali said, "I am an open minded person. I have said that whenever and at whichever level, India wants to meet - we are ready to talk to them. We have never said no and would never say so, because I feel that this is a step towards betterment." Bureau Report