ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the leadership of the United Arab Emirates could play a significant role in bringing India and Pakistan to the table and called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold serious and sincere talks to resolve pressing issues, including Kashmir.
In an interview with Al Arabiya, the prime minister said, “Let us sit down at the table and have serious and sincere talks to resolve our burning issues like Kashmir.” This was his message to the Indian leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Flagrant human rights violations are occurring day in and day out in Kashmir.”
As the autonomy was revoked in August 2019, the PM stated that India had usurped any semblance of autonomy granted to Kashmiris by Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.
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He stated that minorities in India were subjected to persecution, and India needed to put an end to this in order to demonstrate to the world that it was prepared for meaningful negotiations.
The world was reminded by Mr. Shehbaz that India and Pakistan were neighbors who had to live together. We can choose to live in peace and move forward, or we can argue and waste time and resources. Our three wars with India only increased the people’s misery, poverty, and unemployment. We’ve learned our lesson, and we want to live in peace as long as we can solve our real issues. That’s the message I want to convey to PM Modi: “We want to end poverty, achieve prosperity, provide education, health care, and jobs for our people, not waste resources on bombs and ammunition.”
He stated, “We are nuclear powers, armed to the teeth, and who will live to tell the story if a war breaks out if God forbid.”
He claimed that Saudi Arabia was a friendly and brotherly nation and that they had unique and long-standing brotherly ties.
He recalled that millions of Muslims visited Makkah and Medina before Pakistan was established and carved out of India. These Muslims had brotherly ties to Saudi Arabia and traveled there frequently.
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The PM stated that the UAE was a second home for millions of Pakistanis and that he had successfully visited the country while serving as prime minister. He stated that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was a close brother who was a strong supporter of Pakistan and wished for the people of Pakistan’s advancement and prosperity. Pakistan was ingrained in the soul of Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, who was also a great friend of Pakistan.
“The governments of Pakistan and the Gulf nations have decided to work together in the areas of culture and trade, promote Islam as a religion of peace, and avoid all forms of terrorism. He added, “We are working together as strategic partners.”
The prime minister stated that Pakistan’s difficulties would not have diminished without the tangible and substantial support of Saudi Arabia and the brotherly Gulf states, who were dependable partners. He claimed that Pakistan’s people were strong and brave and that they would help the country get back on its feet by encouraging trade and investment.
