‘Onus on us to choose peace, war’: PM calls for dialogue with India

We want to discuss Kashmir, water, trade terrorism issues, on equal terms: Shehbaz

LONDON: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday reiterated the desire for peace and dialogue with India, saying Pakistan sought peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues, especially Kashmir, but talks must be held on equal footing.

“I have made this offer so many times in the past. We want to discuss Kashmir, water, trade and terrorism issues, not because of any weakness but on the basis of equal terms. As neighbours, now the onus is upon us whether to live in peace or war,” he said, addressing a gathering of overseas Pakistanis in London.

He emphasised that without the resolution of the Kashmir issue, which was basic key to the regional peace, the bilateral ties between the two countries could not be established.

“Anyone who is thinking otherwise is akin to living in a fool’s paradise,” he asserted and said that Kashmiris would get their right to self-determination and freedom.

Underlining the significance of unity and solidarity which had led to emphatic triumph in the recent armed conflict with India, the premier pledged to guide the country on the path of progress and prosperity.

PM Shehbaz congratulated the overseas Pakistanis on the great victory of May 10 against the bitter enemy and aggressor, India.

“It was a great triumph that taught a lesson to the enemy and surely, will the foe remember it forever,” he added.

The prime minister elaborated that after India’s baseless allegations over Pahalgam incident, he had offered, during his visit to Kakul, for a probe by an international committee into the incident in a fair, impartial and transparent manner and to prove India’s false allegations, but India did not respond to his offer.

Expressing his grief and condemnation of 65,000 deaths and grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, PM Shehbaz said the world had not witnessed these heart-moving scenes.

The prime minister called upon the Islamic world and the international community to come forward and address the crises urgently.

He also appreciated the overseas Pakistan’s contributions toward the national economy and termed them as ‘ambassadors of the great country striving day and night abroad and earn livelihood.’

The premier acknowledged that on the basis of their hard work, in the previous year, 38.5 billion dollars were received in country as remittances, adding without it, country’s economy could not move forward.

He further underscored the need that no nation in the world could achieve the highest place among the comity of nations without hard work, dedication and sincerity.

The prime minister stressed that they should get rid of loans and achieve the economic strength, then the world would treat them as it treated the leading world economies.

He mentioned that youth bulge of Pakistan, comprising 60 percent of the total population, was not only was a challenge but also an opportunity

With IT training and latest knowledge, they would take the country forward, he said, adding once they all decided with strong will, then nothing was impossible.

The prime minister aid “Unity and solidarity should be the first priority,” and expressed his satisfaction that country’s economic indicators that were showing upward trends while at the diplomatic fronts, the country was further strengthening its ties and position. Monitoring Desk