Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali hoped that recently initiated Pakistan-India dialogue would reach a conclusion.
"I hope we shall reach to a conclusion," Jamali told an Indian weekly "Frontline", a Hindu Newspaper publication during an interview last week.
Of course, the Prime Minister said, the core issue of Kashmir will be solved. In this region, Kashmir is a problem. The Kashmiris need a helping hand.
"We are trying to contribute so that this issue is settled as it is in the interest of humanity."
About showing flexibility while talking to India, Jamali said, in my assessment, both parties should sacrifice their ego for the sake of better relations. "We have to sacrifice it for a bigger goal."
When asked about the most significant achievement of the 12th South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) summit in the India-Pakistan context, Jamali replied, firstly, for the past few years, internationally, it had been thought that there is no law and order in Pakistan and it cannot host any significant national or international event. The summit has disproved it.
Secondly, Vajpayee Saheb was able to convince his people and we, ours, that this issue has to be resolved. That is the biggest outcome.
About considering India as an enemy after all these developments, the Prime Minister said, I have always said that we are enemies to none - that was my speech to the Parliament. And we expect no one to be our enemy.
He further said, there are some issues that need to be discussed and resolved but we have no enmity with anyone. We have no reason for it. But, if someone tries to compress us, we won t allow that.
When asked how does his government look at the Kashmir movement, Jamali said, every person has a right to one's freedom. We have been giving Kashmiris diplomatic and moral support. Kashmiris are the best people to decide.
"They (Kashmiris) are suffering. That is why, in the interest of humanity, this issue must be resolved in a decent and honourable way," he added.
The Prime Minister said we want peace - whether it comes from the Pakistan side or the Indian side. If it is up to the satisfaction of the Kashmiris, it will be a worthwhile effort. "If something is leading to peace, that is enough."
About apprehension on secretary-level talks that the bureaucracy could sabotage the peace process, Jamali said, it is government-to-government and not person-to-person talks.
"It is only a start. This is level-I. Level-II will be at the ministerial level. Level-III will be at the chief executive level, whatever the case may be. I see no reason why people think that bureaucracy would sabotage (it). I don't mistrust my team."
As far as we are concerned, he said, we are positive. Even India needs peace. Nobody wants war. War is no solution to any problem. It is peace, dialogue and the convincing power, which has to make a breakthrough.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2004

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