Pakistan regrets ‘war mongering’ coming from India over Kashmir tensions
Posted On January 16, 2013
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Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Tuesday deeply regretted what she called “war mongering” coming from India following firing incidents in Kashmir, saying Pakistan wants complete normalization of relations with New Delhi. Speaking to a largely American audience at Asia Society, Khar said the Indo-Pakistan dialogue process should remain uninterrupted and uninterruptible. “We are deeply committed to peaceful coexistence with India.” Both countries cannot afford a conflict, she said in a well-reasoned speech. Pakistan had acted with restraint despite inflammatory statements from across the border, the foreign minister pointed out. “What do we see today?” Khar asked.
“We see three incidents across the LOC (line of control) and we see war mongering which puts the last 60 years actively back into our memories. War mongering coming in from the other side of the border, which I thought was the thing of yesteryears and the thing that we had put behind us.”
“As I read statements coming in from the highest levels of government, I can just say we are deeply disappointed,” Khar continued. “And I can say on behalf of my government that we feel that the dialogue process should be uninterrupted and uninterruptible. … We must not close the door on dialogue.” Khar, who was responding to a question, said there was no evidence that Pakistan had beheaded an Indian soldier in the Kashmir skirmishes. She also expressed disappointment with India’s decision to rescind moves to relax visa restrictions between the countries. “Something which has already been achieved, which has been attained, we are going back on,” she said. Despite recent rhetoric, she said Pakistan remains committed to a dialogue with India to obtain “complete normalization to not only peacefully coexist, but contribute to the development of the region.” Asked about the rally being led by Minhajul Quran International chief Dr.Tahirul Qadri’s, Khar characterized him as representing a small minority outside the political system intent on disturbing upcoming elections by making demands that are contrary to the constitutional fabric of Pakistan. “It’s preposterous, it’s unconstitutional and he could be arrested for that,” she said. “Hopefully his movement will die down.” Khar also discussed Pakistan’s relationship with the United States, reiterating comments she made last November that things were on “a positive trajectory,” but that the war on terror had had an adverse impact on Pakistan. “We have suffered too much and gained too little,” she said. Pakistan lost a total of $75 billion since September 11 2001, besides huge costs in terms of human life. The foreign minister said Pakistan supports an afghan-led, Afghan-driven reconciliation process and would facilitate dialogue between the Taliban and the Afghan government. In opening remarks, she spoke of the challenges the democratic government of President Asif Ali Zardari faced and its accomplishments in various fields, especially the legislations the Parliament enacted to provide protection to the women and enhance their status. |