Kashmir not an obstacle in India-Pakistan ties: Sharif
7 May 2013 12:15 PM GMT
Kashmir was not an ‘obstacle’ in India-Pakistan ties but a very important issue which needs to be resolved ‘peacefully’ to the satisfaction of both countries and the Kashmiri people, Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday.
‘It’s a very important issue. This issue needs to be resolved peacefully. Resolved to the satisfaction of not only both the countries but also to the satisfaction of the people of Kashmir,’ Sharif said in an interview to Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN.
‘We don’t take it as an obstacle. Pakistan is going ahead on trade front and other ties we have. India should also pay attention to Kashmir issue, get this problem away and solve it to the satisfaction of all the three parties,’ he said.
Asked if ties could progress by putting the Kashmir issue on the back burner, he said: ‘That we are already doing. Let not such issues be put on back-burner for an indefinite period. Both the countries feel the urge to solve this very important problem.’
Sharif stressed Pakistan doesn’t want its territory to be used for terrorist activities. ‘We don’t want our territory to be used for terrorist activities. These elements are deliberately spoiling the relationship. I think both countries should take these steps.’
The former Pakistan prime minister said many terrorist organizations have already been banned.
‘If I become prime minister I will make sure that Pakistani soil is never used for any such design against India. We must not allow such speeches to be made against India by anybody including Hafeez Saab (Saeed).’
On ISI involvement in 26/11, he said: ‘If you look at my interviews immediately after Mumbai killings, I was very clear in saying that let there be the joint commission of investigation.
‘It’s a very important issue. This issue needs to be resolved peacefully. Resolved to the satisfaction of not only both the countries but also to the satisfaction of the people of Kashmir,’ Sharif said in an interview to Karan Thapar on CNN-IBN.
‘We don’t take it as an obstacle. Pakistan is going ahead on trade front and other ties we have. India should also pay attention to Kashmir issue, get this problem away and solve it to the satisfaction of all the three parties,’ he said.
Asked if ties could progress by putting the Kashmir issue on the back burner, he said: ‘That we are already doing. Let not such issues be put on back-burner for an indefinite period. Both the countries feel the urge to solve this very important problem.’
Sharif stressed Pakistan doesn’t want its territory to be used for terrorist activities. ‘We don’t want our territory to be used for terrorist activities. These elements are deliberately spoiling the relationship. I think both countries should take these steps.’
The former Pakistan prime minister said many terrorist organizations have already been banned.
‘If I become prime minister I will make sure that Pakistani soil is never used for any such design against India. We must not allow such speeches to be made against India by anybody including Hafeez Saab (Saeed).’
On ISI involvement in 26/11, he said: ‘If you look at my interviews immediately after Mumbai killings, I was very clear in saying that let there be the joint commission of investigation.
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