Pak Army chief Bajwa calls for meaningful talks with India

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday called for a "peaceful resolution"and "meaningful talks"between India-Pakistan.

Bajwa while addressing a passing-out parade of cadets said, "That only through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue a solution could be found for the disputes between the two countries", as quoted by European think-tank European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS).

This comes after Indian army Chief General Bipin Rawat's statement of April 15 saying that peace is the only solution to improve the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and it could be ensured through a dialogue between India and Pakistan.

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He said that Islamabad “remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour.”

The peaceful resolution of India-Pakistan disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, can be found through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue, Bajwa had said earlier.

“It is our sincere belief that the route to peaceful resolution of Pak-India disputes — including the core issue of Kashmir — runs through comprehensive and meaningful dialogue. While such dialogue is no favour to any party, it remains the inevitable precursor to peace across the region. Pakistan remains committed to such a dialogue, but only on the basis of sovereign equality, dignity and honour,” he said.

Addressing the cadets, General Bajwa (57) said Pakistan is a peace-loving country and seeks harmonious and peaceful co- existence with all countries, especially its neighbours, according to the statement.

“However, this desire for peace must not, in any sense, be construed as a sign of weakness. Our valiant Armed Forces are fully prepared to respond across the full spectrum of threat in a befitting manner,” he added.

The Army Chief also reaffirmed his country’s “political and moral support” to the “basic right of self-determination” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said Pakistan has done its part to cleanse itself of the scourge of terrorism and extremism without any distinction and the efforts have started to bear results.

“We are committed to continue these efforts, not out of any compulsion, but to make Pakistan a safe, prosperous and progressive country,” he said.