Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that he would remind President Obama of the US commitment to play active role for the resolution of Kashmir dispute.
In an interview with Editorial Board of Urdu Daily “Pakistan” at his residence here before departure for three day official visit to the United States at the invitation of President Obama, Nawaz Sharif said he is certain that the US would play its role for maintaining a strategic balance between Pakistan and India for peace and stability in South Asia.
During the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in July, 1999, President Clinton had accepted that as long as Kashmir dispute is not resolved, the clouds of war will continue to hover on the region. The Washington Declaration issued after their talks, very clearly stated that all the disputes between India and Pakistan would be resolved though dialogue.
Throwing light on the importance of his visit to the United States, Nawaz Sharif expressed his desire for enhancing trade, investment and military cooperation with Washington. He said Pakistan wanted trade and not aid from the United States and access of its products to the American markets. He said this would benefit our industry and create job opportunities.
Nawaz Sharif said trust between Pakistan and United States has increased and it was a good omen that Pakistani action against terrorism is being appreciated in America.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan desires peace in Afghanistan and is playing constructive role for political stability there. He said Pakistan and the United States are in unison for advancing the peace process in Afghanistan and stability of President Ashraf Ghani’s government. He emphasised that an end to violence in Afghanistan would have positive impact on the entire region. He said the need is to over come the hurdles in the resumption of dialogue process.
He categorically stated that Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used against any country and emphasised that Pakistan and Afghanistan should discuss the issues bilaterally instead of through media.
About increasing economic ties with China and Russia, the Prime Minister made it clear that Pakistan wants good relations with all the world powers on the basis of sovereign equality. He said for the first time the government was promoting economic and political contacts with all the countries by following a comprehensive foreign policy.
He expressed his determination to make Pakistan an economic power and said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is part of that dream.
Nawaz Sharif said the people of Pakistan are well aware which leadership has the vision to take Pakistan forward and the opponents are conceding the achievements of the government in economic field. He once again expressed his determination to overcome the energy crisis during the tenure of the government and hoped that the benefits of many ongoing economic projects would be visible.
