Visit is part of Pakistan's emphasis on regional dialogue, collaboration, Hina Rabbani Khar tells Parliament
As the advance party for President Asif Ali Zardari's day-long visit to India began packing its bags on Thursday, the government found itself once again on the defensive; warding off criticism that this was yet another indication of the Pakistan Peoples Party's `pro-India' tilt that had resulted in Kashmir being put on the back burner.
All issues are under discussion, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani informed Parliament; assuring members that the legislature would be taken into confidence if discussions are held on any issue with the Indian leadership.
Private visit
Speaking on the President's upcoming visit to India, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar told Parliament that this was part of Pakistan's emphasis on regional dialogue and collaboration in the quest for peace. This was true for all of Pakistan's immediate neighbours, including China, Iran, India and Afghanistan. She also clarified that the meeting with Dr. Singh was being held at India's request as the President was essentially going to India on a private visit to offer prayers at the Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer.
Intra-regional peace
Earlier in the day, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said: “We are of the view that the meeting between the President and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will contribute towards achieving the President's vision to promote intra-regional peace and prosperity in this part of the world. We are looking forward to a constructive engagement.”
Stating that all issues would be discussed, the spokesman sought to dispel the assumption that the President's visit to India at this juncture — when the Kashmir issue remained unresolved — would dilute Pakistan's stance on what it considers the core issue with India. “We attach importance to high-level interaction between Pakistan and India but that does not mean Pakistan is budging from its principled position on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. We are of the view that [a] just and fair settlement of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute is a sine qua non for viable and lasting peace in South Asia.”
The President is scheduled to fly to New Delhi on Sunday morning with a 47-member delegation that would include some members of his family and the federal Cabinet. From the Capital, the entourage will head to Ajmer before returning home.
Keywords: Zardari's India visit
If President Zardari is going on a private visit just to pay obeisance at the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, then why take just a large delegation of 47 members? Is this a way to spend to squander Pakistani taxpayers' hard-earned money on such govt-financed visits? What issues are the two countries going to solve when they haven't been able to solve the main issue that is bedevilling their ties - Kashmir - for neatrly 60 years?
Experience indicates Pakistan leadership is never serious for a constructive leadership though the Pakistan public is keen for a friendly terms. The leadership in India thrives only on 'Hate India Campaign" hardly any regard for the normal Pakistani. It is high time that the Pakistan voters take an appropriate step to support & instal leaders who contribute constructively for the benifit of both the countries. Hate and wars have costed enormously to both the countries in terms of lives as well as resources, which could have been useful for the development of their citizens. WAKE UP VOTERS!they should start thinking that culturally, habbit wise and normal food wise the people of both the counries are same. Efforts are needed to unite the two Nations in the interest of common man.
It is the pakistani military and its assets the `zia( ul haq) remnants'
that oppose peace with India as they stand to lose their wealth and privilege. The coming together of India and pakistan can best be seen as a natural bonding of a common peoples and will be very positive for them. This is too important a matter which must be taken seriously, notwithstanding a clown like zardari. The pakistani establishment especially the military will bend to US pressure easily as they cannot survive without US economic and military aid. Greater economic relations between India and pakistan must not serve the interests of the pakistani deep state.
No wonder if the Pakistanis raised their eyebrows over the visit of
their President to India. He often goes to Saudi as a pilgrim but goes
alone or with some of his family members. But not with an entourage of
47 officials and cabinet ministers as he is doing now for his pilgrimage
to Ajmer Durga. Definitely it is also an 'eye-brow' raising event for
us.
Zardari is doing everything for his personal satisfaction and this is also a private visit and he considers everything his personal right to use the Government costs no matter if no benefit comes to the state is not important. The parliament or democracy is just a stepping stone for this corrupt leadership to use it rubber stamp all their legal or illegal activities. What do we expect them from this kind of leadership?
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