Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif again offers olive branch to India for regional peace

ASTANA – Amid tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered an olive branch to India, saying Pakistan desired peaceful relations with all its neighbours.

Addressing the 6th summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Kazakhstan’s capital, the premier stressed peaceful dialogue in resolving conflicts with other nations, including archrival India.

“We are willing to engage with New Delhi for the sake of prosperity as both sides of the border cannot afford to deal with massive challenges of poverty and unemployment amid meagre resources,” PM Shehbaz said.

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He however mentioned that India brings its atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to a grinding halt a just and lasting peace remains elusive.

Sharing the previous events, PM said India defied the will of the United Nations for decades, saying New Delhi has used repression to silence the voice of Kashmiris demanding their rights.

He also slammed Indian authorities over inhumane policies in the occupied region and mentioned that Modi led administration brandishes the democracy in valley not through the ballot but through its bullet.  

His address focused on peace among nations to hit the goal of prosperity as attended the summit to discuss cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia.

PM said his country's location offers a natural bridge among various regions. In this regard, he highlighted the multi-billion dollar project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which had transformed the economic and connectivity landscape of the region.

On war-torn Afghanistan, PM said the four decades of conflict not only took a heavy toll on the country but also upon its neighbour Pakistan. The country suffered immense damage to its peace and security with serious consequences borne in the shape of 80,000 casualties and billions of dollars in financial losses.

He also invited the CICA member states to consider benefiting from the trade, investment and business opportunities offered by Pakistan.

Pakistan Monsoon Floods 

Commenting on recent floods, PM mentioned that Pakistan suffered the most from climate change despite its less than 1 per cent emissions.

He however thanked foreign nations that stepped forward in extending assistance to South Asian nation to carry out relief and rehabilitation activities. He also commended UN for flash appeal to meet the daunting challenge of heavy losses incurred by flash floods.

“Pakistan, with the support of its people and the friendly countries, will come out of this problem,” the premier said.