Talks only way forward to resolve Indo-Pak issues: Gilani

Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Mar 3 (PTI) Pakistan premier Yousuf Raza
Gilani has said dialogue is the only way forward for resolving
all issues between India and Pakistan despite a perceived lack
of progress during the recent Foreign Secretary-level talks.

"We raise our hopes and then disappoint ourselves,"
Gilani said, referring to the February 25 talks between
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart
Salman Bashir in New Delhi.
However, he said, talks are the "only way forward."
Gilani expressed his views in response to a question
about the parleys during an interview with Geo News channel.
Referring to his meeting with India's Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh in Sharm el-Sheikh in July last year and an
expected meeting on the sidelines of the upcoming South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Bhutan,
he said "whenever we meet, it would be meaningful."
Responding to a query about Singh's visit to Saudi
Arabia, Gilani described it as a good development.
He said it would not have any impact on Pak-Saudi ties as
the two countries are members of the Organisation of the
Islamic Conference and enjoy close and friendly relations.
Asked about military exercises recently conducted by
India at Pokhran, Gilani said Pakistan's defence is in secure
hands and the country is aware of its defence capabilities.
"We are not worried about such things," he said.
Replying to a question about the Indo-US agreement on
civil nuclear cooperation, he said, "We have told (the US)
that they have to do something for Pakistan too in order to
avoid regional instability."
Pakistan will not make any compromise on its defence and
nuclear policy and the country's sovereignty and integrity
will be upheld, Gilani said.
He parried a question about granting an extension in
service to army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who is due to
retire at the end of the year.
He dismissed reports about differences of opinion between
him and the presidency on this issue and said the government
will decide on the matter when the time comes.
He described Kayani as "pro-democracy and a highly
professional person."
Gilani disagreed with the idea that he and President Asif
Ali Zardari were playing the role of "good cop, bad cop."
"We are following the party manifesto and vision of
(slain former premier) Benazir Bhutto."
Gilani said the constitutional reforms committee – which
is framing amendments that could strip the President of his
sweeping powers – has been asked to speed up its work and is
now expected to complete its task by March 23.
"We are committed to the nation and political parties to
implement the Charter of Democracy," he said, referring to an
agreement signed by the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)
and main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
in 2006 to introduce political and constitutional reforms.
Replying to another question about his government taking
steps to reopen graft cases against Zardari in Switzerland in
line with an order issued by the Supreme Court, Gilani said
the administration will present its detailed views on the
issue during a hearing in the apex court on March 12. PTI RHL