Information and Broadcasting Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid on Sunday said the meeting between Pakistani and Indian leaders in New York was a step forward for the resolution of all important issues.
Talking to a private television channel, Rashid said the meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh would help improve bilateral relations.
He said that prior to the May 11 elections, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) had told all voters that the party would discuss and resolve all matters with India through negotiations, adding that the PM had full support of the parliament and the people regarding the meeting with Singh.
He said that Pakistan wanted peace in the region and good relations with all its neighboring countries, including India.
Replying to a question, he said the Indian leaders could not isolate themselves from the world community by choosing the policy of confrontation and cooperation was the only way to solve problems.
He said the Indian leaders had to address economic issues and deal with poverty and unemployment, adding that all the problems could be addressed by having good relations with the international community and the regional countries.
He said terrorism was a common issue of India and Pakistan and the two countries should overcome the issue with collective efforts, adding that discussion should be continued to achieve regional progress and prosperity.
GOVERNMENT CAN TACKLE TERRORISM:
Rashid said the government was capable of tackling every challenge in the country, including terrorism.
He said the option of dialogue with the Taliban would be exercised for peace, as was decided in the All Parties Conference (APC).
“The dialogue process should not be derailed by any conspiracy,” he said, adding that both parties should be given some time for negotiation and the dialogue offer should not be considered as a sign of weakness.
Pervaiz condemned the recent blasts in Peshawar and said all parties were on the same page regarding the security issue.
“The government is committed to implementing the APC resolutions,” he said.
He said former regimes of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pervaiz Musharaf had not taken serious steps to resolve the issue of terrorism.
