Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised his openness to engage with neighbouring India, emphasising that Pakistan has “nothing against anyone” in his bid to advance regional development.
Despite a history of rocky relations between the two countries, which has been damaged by three wars since their independence in 1947, the premier hopes to develop constructive engagement.
However, bilateral relations have been severely harmed by India’s decision in August 2019 to abolish the special status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in a virtual halt in diplomatic interactions between the two nations.
“We are prepared to talk with everyone, including our neighbour, if the neighbour is serious about discussing serious issues on the table because war is no longer an option,” PM Shehbaz said Tuesday at the Pakistan Minerals Summit in Islamabad.
The summit’s goal is to increase Foreign Direct Investment in the country and move the country from “Dust to Development.”
The prime minister’s comments on cooperating with the US and India came after he mentioned the start of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.
Pakistan, according to the prime minister, is a nuclear power — not as an aggressor, but for defence.
He stated that the country had fought three wars with India in the last 75 years, resulting in greater poverty, unemployment, and a lack of resources to finance education, health, and well-being.
He emphasised that this is not the way to go, but rather to combat regional economic competition.
“Because who will live to tell what happened if there is a nuclear flashpoint?” So (war) is not an option,” he added, emphasising that while Pakistan understands the situation, India must also recognise it.
“It is also critical that our neighbours understand that we cannot become normal neighbours unless abnormalities are removed and our serious issues are understood and addressed through peaceful and meaningful discussions,” PM Shehbaz said.
The premier also stressed the importance of cooperating with Americans for Pakistan’s growth, as it does with China.
“We really want to have the best of relationships with them like we used to have in the past, on the basis of mutual respect and trust, and not trying to deceive each other,” he said.
He went on to say that alternatively, the two countries should endeavour to take advantage of available chances for the benefit of both countries and people.
In his address to the summit, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif emphasised the importance of making unrelenting efforts and hard work to realise Pakistan’s forebears’ dream of putting the country on the path of progress and prosperity.
“Today is the day to learn lessons from the past and move forward in unison,” he remarked.
The tragedy of Pakistan’s seven to five-year journey, the premier added, is heartbreaking, but if we turn the summit speeches and presentations into action, in letter and spirit, we may reclaim our former greatness.
Several national and foreign authorities, including Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, attended the event.
During the event, Dr. Musadik Malik, State Minister for Petroleum, welcomed foreign investors to invest in various sectors of Pakistan, particularly the minerals and mining sector.
