News Desk |
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi reacting to Indian army Chief Bipin Rawat’s recent statement said, “Pakistan is an Islamic welfare state and [Rawat’s] remarks can’t change [our] ideology.” A day earlier, Indian army chief had said, “If they [Pakistan] want friendship with India then they should play their role as a secular state.”
FM Qureshi while talking to newsmen in Multan said that the opening of Kartarpur corridor, a goodwill gesture, was appreciated globally, and nations on both sides of border hailed the initiative. FM also thanked Indian government for sending two ministers to attend the ceremony and remarked that the step to be taken as a positive sign.
PM Khan said that the opening of Kartarpur corridor was one of the measures taken to improve bilateral ties. “There’s no enmity between the people of the two countries; people to people relations could be improved.”
Talking about the formation of south Punjab province, Mr. Qureshi said that there were some legal restrictions and the matter required a constitutional amendment. “We need support from other political parties in the parliament in this matter”, he continued.
The minister said, however, a secretariat would be formed in south Punjab for the solution of the matters of the masses in their own area, adding “separate budget will be given to south Punjab from next year.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday had laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor which connects Narowal’s Gurdwara Darbar Sahib to Dera Baba Nanak situated in India’s Gurdaspur. From the other side of the border, Navjot Singh Sindhu, along with two Indian ministers attended the ceremony.
Read more: Is PM Khan betting on an Indian “Tabdeeli” for Peace talks?
PM Khan said that the opening of Kartarpur corridor was one of the measures taken to improve bilateral ties. “There’s no enmity between the people of the two countries; people to people relations could be improved.”
Soon after the ceremony, propaganda through Indian media was launched, maligning the positivity of the goodwill gesture of Pakistan. Instead of appreciating the steps Pakistan always take in right directions to improve bilateral relations, Indian Chief Army said,” India has taken the first step several times. At least show us some action from your side against terrorism.”
Not just media and Army Chief, Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj soon after the Kartarpur ceremony also announced that India will not attend the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) conference if it is held in Pakistan. She brushed off any possibility of improvement in relations between India and Pakistan, saying,” Kartarpur corridor does not mean that bilateral talks will start on this.”
Read more: Kartarpur Corridor: Indian nation praises PM Khan
The statements from Pakistan and India are alone enough to analyze that which of two states really wants civilized relations.