Leader
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2010
- Messages
- 29,159
- Reaction score
- 9
- Country
- Location
Manmohan is a lame duck due to the forthcoming polls, says Khurram
Foreign policy cannot be run on mere bravado as the interest of Pakistan has to be kept always in view however the events of the past a few days are undoubtedly deplorable but sentimental upheaval cannot be allowed to overpower the nation as national interests cannot be harmed.
We know fully well that matters vis-à-vis India are extremely sensitive. In spite of that we are dreaming of peace with open eyes. If we have to make economic progress it would not be possible without having trade with our neighbours. We are waiting for three weeks. If Indian belligerent attitude persists there is no use of any meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh. Pakistan wants peace but if war is foisted on us, Pakistani nation knows how to defend itself, said Minister of State for Privatisation Khurram Dastgir in Geo TV programme Capital Talk hosted by Hamid Mir.
Others who joined the discussion included former ambassador of Pakistan to US Sherry Rehman, secretary information of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) Dr Shireen Mazari, anchor of Times Now Arnab Goswami (via video link), and India News TVs Sheetal Rajput (via telephone).
At the start of the show different videos were shown that displayed the anti-Pakistan somersaults of Indian media. In the show a report prepared by Geo News correspondent Umar Ijaz in which the reaction of people in the border areas who had become target of unprovoked firing by Indian forces, was also shown.
During the discussion, Khurram Dastgir further said that Nawaz Sharif is more sagacious than Manmohan Singh. Nawaz Sharif has displayed more maturity in matters concerning India. Trade with India has become hostage to the current atmosphere. We are trying to convince India that there must be progress in relations between the two countries too, he said.
Answering a question, federal minister said that Manmohan Singh has become a lame duck because of the forthcoming elections in India. A government that is going to face the electorate soon cannot take solid steps. It now appears that Indian media is dictating in many matters of foreign policy.
However it is gratifying to note that Pakistani media has behaved with responsibility.
He further said that instead of beating war drums Pakistani media must respond to the Indian accusations. Afzal Guru was hanged. There was carnage of the Muslims in Gujarat. Their own people were involved in Samjhota Express inferno. Hindu extremists gheraoed (surrounded) the trade exhibition in Mumbai. Pakistani media must show these facts too. War is neither in the interest of Pakistan nor of India. Indian intelligence agencies failed to prove that Pakistan is involved in terrorism in India, he said.
Sherry Rehman said that besides Hindu extremists there are other groups too that have adopted extremism as their philosophy. We have learnt our lessons from previous wars, but the current game is extremely dangerous for India. The Indian attitude towards Pakistan has become rigid in the wake of Mumbai attacks. When peace and trade is under discussion, there is progress from India too. Manmohans problem is not BJP but Manmohan himself. Even if he wants, he is unable to take any step on his own. Pakistan has always shown flexibility towards India for the sake of peace, she said and added that Indian aggression has nothing to do with the forthcoming elections in India. She agreed that the LoC has been shattered to pieces. She further said that in the past it was presumed that Indian army has no role in foreign policy, but now that role is apparent. Both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers and there is no option for them other than peace. Talks are never held with pre-conditions; they are held with an open mind. A meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh must take place. However a meeting is of no use after which both are ashamed of each other.
Dr Shireen Mazari said that India thinks that Pakistan is under pressure. India has turned Aman Ki Asha into a farce. As a policy matter India intends to exert every sort of pressure on Pakistan. The policy of Nawaz Sharif for India is very soft. He displayed weakness while commenting on trade with reference to peace. Relations between nations are always on the basis of equality.
Pakistan has stalled the decision to declare India a Most Favoured Nation with great difficulty. Indians attacked Pakistani High Commission but Pakistan did not retaliate. Dr Shireen Mazari said, I am bitterly opposed to backdoor diplomacy as If there is no positive response from the other side, we too should not go out of the way for reconciliation. The proposed meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh should be suspended because that will be an exercise in futility. The unanimous resolution about national security is welcome, said Dr Mazari.
Arnab Goswami said, For the last a few weeks there have been a lot of news on Indian media about Indo-Pak tension on the LoC and many facts have come to light. There have been talks about reducing tensions too after which the view has come to the fore that Pakistan should not sour relations with India by playing in the hands of extremists. Violations of the LoC from the Pakistani side have increased by 80 percent after the exchange of fire started. In January when the head of an Indian soldier was chopped off, India gave another chance to Pakistan as it was hoped that if Nawaz Sharif comes to be the next prime minister there would be improvement in relations. However after viewing events in the past one month it seems as if movement towards peace is being made only by India. The statements of Hafiz Saeed to wage jihad in India have also enraged the common Indian.
Sheetal Rajput said, I am for talks between India and Pakistan. It is incorrect to say that India has spurned the offer to hold talks. A statement from Indias Foreign Office says, We (Indians) want peace with Pakistan. However for that it is necessary that there should be peace on the LoC.
Manmohan is a lame duck due to the forthcoming polls, says Khurram - thenews.com.pk
Foreign policy cannot be run on mere bravado as the interest of Pakistan has to be kept always in view however the events of the past a few days are undoubtedly deplorable but sentimental upheaval cannot be allowed to overpower the nation as national interests cannot be harmed.
We know fully well that matters vis-à-vis India are extremely sensitive. In spite of that we are dreaming of peace with open eyes. If we have to make economic progress it would not be possible without having trade with our neighbours. We are waiting for three weeks. If Indian belligerent attitude persists there is no use of any meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh. Pakistan wants peace but if war is foisted on us, Pakistani nation knows how to defend itself, said Minister of State for Privatisation Khurram Dastgir in Geo TV programme Capital Talk hosted by Hamid Mir.
Others who joined the discussion included former ambassador of Pakistan to US Sherry Rehman, secretary information of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) Dr Shireen Mazari, anchor of Times Now Arnab Goswami (via video link), and India News TVs Sheetal Rajput (via telephone).
At the start of the show different videos were shown that displayed the anti-Pakistan somersaults of Indian media. In the show a report prepared by Geo News correspondent Umar Ijaz in which the reaction of people in the border areas who had become target of unprovoked firing by Indian forces, was also shown.
During the discussion, Khurram Dastgir further said that Nawaz Sharif is more sagacious than Manmohan Singh. Nawaz Sharif has displayed more maturity in matters concerning India. Trade with India has become hostage to the current atmosphere. We are trying to convince India that there must be progress in relations between the two countries too, he said.
Answering a question, federal minister said that Manmohan Singh has become a lame duck because of the forthcoming elections in India. A government that is going to face the electorate soon cannot take solid steps. It now appears that Indian media is dictating in many matters of foreign policy.
However it is gratifying to note that Pakistani media has behaved with responsibility.
He further said that instead of beating war drums Pakistani media must respond to the Indian accusations. Afzal Guru was hanged. There was carnage of the Muslims in Gujarat. Their own people were involved in Samjhota Express inferno. Hindu extremists gheraoed (surrounded) the trade exhibition in Mumbai. Pakistani media must show these facts too. War is neither in the interest of Pakistan nor of India. Indian intelligence agencies failed to prove that Pakistan is involved in terrorism in India, he said.
Sherry Rehman said that besides Hindu extremists there are other groups too that have adopted extremism as their philosophy. We have learnt our lessons from previous wars, but the current game is extremely dangerous for India. The Indian attitude towards Pakistan has become rigid in the wake of Mumbai attacks. When peace and trade is under discussion, there is progress from India too. Manmohans problem is not BJP but Manmohan himself. Even if he wants, he is unable to take any step on his own. Pakistan has always shown flexibility towards India for the sake of peace, she said and added that Indian aggression has nothing to do with the forthcoming elections in India. She agreed that the LoC has been shattered to pieces. She further said that in the past it was presumed that Indian army has no role in foreign policy, but now that role is apparent. Both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers and there is no option for them other than peace. Talks are never held with pre-conditions; they are held with an open mind. A meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh must take place. However a meeting is of no use after which both are ashamed of each other.
Dr Shireen Mazari said that India thinks that Pakistan is under pressure. India has turned Aman Ki Asha into a farce. As a policy matter India intends to exert every sort of pressure on Pakistan. The policy of Nawaz Sharif for India is very soft. He displayed weakness while commenting on trade with reference to peace. Relations between nations are always on the basis of equality.
Pakistan has stalled the decision to declare India a Most Favoured Nation with great difficulty. Indians attacked Pakistani High Commission but Pakistan did not retaliate. Dr Shireen Mazari said, I am bitterly opposed to backdoor diplomacy as If there is no positive response from the other side, we too should not go out of the way for reconciliation. The proposed meeting between Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh should be suspended because that will be an exercise in futility. The unanimous resolution about national security is welcome, said Dr Mazari.
Arnab Goswami said, For the last a few weeks there have been a lot of news on Indian media about Indo-Pak tension on the LoC and many facts have come to light. There have been talks about reducing tensions too after which the view has come to the fore that Pakistan should not sour relations with India by playing in the hands of extremists. Violations of the LoC from the Pakistani side have increased by 80 percent after the exchange of fire started. In January when the head of an Indian soldier was chopped off, India gave another chance to Pakistan as it was hoped that if Nawaz Sharif comes to be the next prime minister there would be improvement in relations. However after viewing events in the past one month it seems as if movement towards peace is being made only by India. The statements of Hafiz Saeed to wage jihad in India have also enraged the common Indian.
Sheetal Rajput said, I am for talks between India and Pakistan. It is incorrect to say that India has spurned the offer to hold talks. A statement from Indias Foreign Office says, We (Indians) want peace with Pakistan. However for that it is necessary that there should be peace on the LoC.
Manmohan is a lame duck due to the forthcoming polls, says Khurram - thenews.com.pk
